Influence of synthetic parameters on structural and catalytic properties of sulfated zirconia nanoparticles prepared by employing sulfate-containing anion surfactants via one-step route

• SZ has been intensively applied for many important industrial and organic reactions.
• Sulfated zirconia nanoparticles were synthesized via one-step LCT route.
• The effect of synthetic parameters on structural properties was investigated in detail.
• The formation mechanism was illustrated.
• The yield of FAME is in the order: SZNP12-(550)-1.0 > SZNP16-(550)-1.0 > TSZ(550).

A series of sulfated zirconia nanoparticles (abbreviated to SZNP) with high surface area and mesostructure have been synthesized by using sulfate-contained anion surfactants (SDS and SCS) both as a template and a sulfating agent via one-step liquid-crystal template (LCT) route. In light of N2 adsorption–desorption, XRD and FT-IR analyses, it can be concluded that SDS is in favor of the mesostructure formation as well as the inhibition of ZrO2 phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic with respect to SCS. The optimal molar ratio of Zr/S is 1:1, which lead to the largest BET surface area. It is well-demonstrated by FT-IR, NH3-TPD together with transesterification reaction that SO42 − anion, originated from the hydrophilic moieties of templates, can be easily incorporated into ZrO2 to form SZNP with super acidity, and the formation mechanism is also illustrated. Catalytic data exhibiting the yield of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in transesterification of soybean oil with methanol is in the following order: SZNP12-(550)-1.0 > SZNP16-(550)-1.0 > TSZ(550).

A series of sulfated zirconia nanoparticles with high surface area and mesostructure were synthesized by using sulfate-containing anion templates via one-step LCT route. The influence of synthetic parameters on structural and catalytic activity in transesterification of soybean oil with methanol was investigated in detail, and the formation mechanism was illustrated.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide