A stable solid acid material: Sulfated ZrO2 dispersed on alumina nanotubes

Resumo

A tubular solid acid catalyst was designed by loading sulfated zirconia into γ-Al₂O₃ nanotubes using the method of stepwise deposition. The XRD, N₂ adsorption-desorption characterization demonstrated that introducing alumina nanotube and SO₄^2- anions have played an important role in stabilizing the metastable tetragonal ZrO₂ phase, and the sulfated zirconia on the surface of the γ-Al₂O₃ nanotube has high dispersion and stability. The catalyst reused repeatedly possesses large amounts of acid sites and good acidity, exhibiting high catalytic activity and stability for isopropylbenzene cracking.