Catalytic and surface properties of ZrO2 modified with sulfur compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(89)85045-X

A series of ZrO₂ catalysts modified with sulfur compounds were prepared by treating Zr(OH)₄ with sulfate ion and by treating ZrO₂ with H₂S, CS₂, and SO₂ followed by oxidation. The redoxidized sulfur species on ZrO₂ and the oxidation state of sulfur were investigated by infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. It was found that the SO₄^2- species in the highest oxidation state was responsible for enhancing the acidity and catalytic activity of the catalyst. There was a close relationship between the oxidation state of sulfur and the catalytic activity, when 1-butene isomerization was carried out as a test reaction. The surface properties of ZrO₂/SO₄^2-, such as specific surface area, phase transition temperture, crystalline structure, acidity and acid strength, were very different from those of ZrO₂ not modified with sulfur compounds.