The present invention provides an essentially dry method for preparation of enhanced alumina powders. The first step involves rapid calcination of an aluminum compound to produce alumina powder. The alumina powder is mixed with solid ammonium carbonate and a small amount of water. This mixture heats itself although some external heat is helpful to produce ammonium aluminum hydroxycarbonate (dawsonite-type) NH4AlCO3(OH)2 upon curing which is then decomposed to produce enhanced alumina having a specific desired morphology and nano-sized dimensions.