One-pot sol-gel synthesis of sulfated ZrO2-SiO2 catalysts for alcohol dehydration

Sulfated ZrO2-SiO2 catalysts were synthesized by one-pot sol-gel method using ammonium sulfate, zirconium propoxide, and tetraethyl orthosilicate as precursors. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 adsorption and DRIFTS. On calcining the gel at elevated temperature, the ammonium sulfate decomposed, giving a sulfated zirconia-silica catalyst. By adding ammonium sulfate to the sol-gel synthesis system, the surface area, pore size, and pore volume of the resultant catalyst were increased. The one-pot sol-gel synthesized catalyst with an optimum loading of SO42- 14 mol% showed significantly higher catalytic activity, with a selectivity of 100%, for isopropanol dehydration when compared to the impregnated catalyst. The one-pot sol-gel synthesis method is an effective way to prepare sulfated zirconia catalyst.