AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE PREPARATION OF SO42 - ZRO2 SUPERACID/

The effects of preparative conditions on the properties of ZrO2 precur sor and SO42-/ZrO2 superacid were studied in detail by means of BET, X RD, flow Hammett indicator method, chemical analysis and butane isomer ization reaction at low temperature. Under different conditions, the s pecific surface area of ZrO2 precursor may differ by a factor of 1.8, while the acid strength and the rare constant far butane isomerization at 20 degrees C of SO42-/ZrO2 superacid may differ approximately by a factor of 1000 and 300, respectively. When appropriate preparative co nditions are selected, the maximum specific surface area of ZrO2 obtai ned is 245 m(2)/g and the maximum acid strength and rate constant for butane isomerization at 20 degrees C are H-0 less than or equal to -16 .0 and 15.5 X 10(-3) h(-1), respectively.