Effect of the preparation of a mesoporous sulfated zirconia catalyst in n-butane isomerization activity

The n-butane isomerization activity of a mesoporous sulfated zirconia is sh own to he a strong function of the extent of hydration on the catalyst surf ace. Regeneration of the catalyst at 500 degreesC in oxygen must be followe d by a water exposure step to rehydrate the catalyst and recapture its orig inal activity. Pretreatment drying procedures are critical in determining o ptimal activity on the mesoporous catalyst. Pretreating at 400 degreesC lea ds to the most active mesoporous sulfated zirconia catalyst for n-butane is omerization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.