LAUSR

AbstractSulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared using the sol–gel process. Hydrolysis water was produced in situ. The effects of the zirconium precursor on the physicochemical properties and the acidity of the solids have been investigated. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, FTIR of adsorbed pyridine, physisorption of N2 at 77 K, and TPR–H2–MS. Pt-promoted catalysts were tested for n-hexane isomerization reaction and the influence of Pt amount on the stability was studied. Obtained solids exhibit low specific surface areas and narrow pore size distributions. In addition, the metastable tetragonal phase of ZrO2 was stabilized at a relatively high temperature. The acidity of catalysts prepared from different zirconium alkoxides and the magnitude of interaction between zirconia and sulfate species are compared and discussed. Sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared using the sol–gel process. Hydrolysis water was produced in situ. The effects of the zirconium precursor have been investigated. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, FTIR of adsorbed pyridine, physisorption of N2 at 77 K, and TPR–H2–MS. Pt-promoted catalysts were tested for n-hexane isomerization reaction.HighlightsThe metastable tetragonal phase of ZrO2 is stabilized at 833 K.The initial catalytic activity of sulfated zirconia is closely related to the density of Lewis acid sites.The use of zirconium propoxide leads to better retention of sulfate groups.The increase in the amount of Pt leads to a greater loss of sulfur.