One-pot sol-gel synthesis of sulfated ZrO₂-SiO₂ catalysts for alcohol dehydration

Abstract

Sulfated ZrO 2 –SiO 2 catalysts were synthesized by one-pot sol-gel method using ammonium sulfate, zirconium propoxide, and tetraethyl orthosilicate as precursors. The catalysts were characterized by N 2 adsorption and DRIFTS. On calcining the gel at elevated temperature, the ammonium sulfate decomposed, giving a sulfated zirconia–silica catalyst. By adding ammonium sulfate to the sol-gel synthesis system, the surface area, pore size, and pore volume of the resultant catalyst were increased. The one-pot sol-gel synthesized catalyst with an optimum loading of SO 4 2– 14 mol% showed significantly higher catalytic activity, with a selectivity of 100%, for isopropanol dehydration when compared to the impregnated catalyst. The one-pot sol-gel synthesis method is an effective way to prepare sulfated zirconia catalyst.Key words: sulfated zirconia, sol-gel synthesis, acid catalyst, alcohol dehydration, N 2 adsorption, DRIFT.