X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) techniques
as well as the determination of BET surface areas, have been used to c
haracterize the structure, morphology and texture of a family of sulfa
te-doped ZrO2 systems. An attempt has been made to find a relationship
between the surface modification from the amorphous precursor and the
development of the crystallization process after doping with sulfate
species.