Production of Nanocrystalline Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts via a Flow-Through Hydrothermal Process

Abstract

ABSTRACTNanocrystalline sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared using the rapid thermal decomposition of precursors in solution (RTDS) powder formation process. Zirconia gel formation, initial crystallization, and sulfate incorporation occurred during a brief exposure to hydrothermal conditions in the RTDS reactor. The partially crystalline zirconia solid was collected as a suspension, separated by centrifugation, and subjected to calcination to achieve full catalytic activity. Crystallinity, sulfate content, and catalytic activity of the calcined powders toward butane isomerization varied according to the hydrothermal conditions at which the zirconia powders were originally precipitated. The powders were characterized using powder XRD, FTIR, and XAS.