Characterization of Zirconium Sulfate Supported on Zirconia and Activity for Acid Catalysis

Zirconium sulfate supported on zirconia catalysts were prepared by impregnation of powdered $Zr(OH)_4$ with zirconium sulfate aqueous solution followed by calcining in air at high temperature. The characterization of prepared catalysts was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and by the measurement of surface area. The addition of zirconium sulfate to zirconia increased the phase transition temperature of $ZrO_2$ from amorphous to tetragonal due to the interaction between zirconium sulfate and zirconia, and the specific surface area and acidity of catalysts increased in proportion to the zirconium sulfate content up to 10 wt% of $Zr(SO_4)_2$. Infrared spectra of ammonia adsorbed on $Zr(SO_4)2}ZrO_2$ showed the presence of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites on the surface. $10-Zr(SO_4)_2}ZrO_2$ calcined at $600^{\circ}C$ exhibited maximum catalytic activities for 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation. The catalytic activities for both reactions were correlated with the acidity of catalysts measured by ammonia chemisorption method.