Thermally effected structural and surface transformations of sulfated TiO2, ZrO2 and TiO2-ZrO2 catalysts

Preparations were characterized by specific surface area, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffractometry. Thermal effects observed were (a) sulfur loss, (b) sintering, (c) crystallization and transformation of the crystalline phase(s). Thermoanalytical curves indicate that decomposition of the sulfate occurs in two distinct steps. Decrease of surface area due to (b) and (c) is concomitant to decomposition of sulfate. Sulfate was found to hinder sintering, crystallization and phase transformations of ZrO2 and TiO2. In low-titania and -zirconia sulfated TiO2-ZrO2 the minor component enhances the effect of sulfate. In equimolar TiO2-ZrO2 sulfate decomposition is accompanied by rapid formation of crystalline TiZrO4.