Zirconium sulfate supported on zirconia catalysts were prepared by impregnation of powdered Zr(OH)4 with zirconium sulfate aqueous solution followed by calcining in air at high temperature. The characterization of prepared catalysts was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and by the measurement of surface area. The addition of zirconium sulfate to zirconia increased the phase transition temperature of ZrO2 from amorphous to tetragonal due to the interaction between zirconium sulfate and zirconia, and the specific surface area and acidity of catalysts increased in proportion to the zirconium sulfate content up to 10 wt% of Zr(SO4)2. Infrared spectra of ammonia adsorbed on Zr(SO4)2/ZrO2 showed the presence of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites on the surface. 10-Zr(SO4)2/ZrO2 calcined at 600∩ exhibited maximum catalytic activities for 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation. The catalytic activities for both reactions were correlated with the acidity of catalysts measured by ammonia chemisorption method.
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