Precursor memory effect determining structural properties of sulfated zirconia

Properties of two catalysts tailored in the laboratory conditions by sulfation of commercial Zr-hydroxide and Zr-hydroxide of nitrate origin were compared with those of commercial SO4-Zr-hydroxide. Equally thermally treated samples in the temperature interval 500-700 degrees C, and having the same amount of sulfur, show different properties indicating memory effect of their solid parent materials. The catalyst obtained by sulfation of commercial Zr-hydroxide differs in amount of residual sulfates upon calcination from other two catalysts. The instability of sulfates in the previous case might be connected to the lowest surface area values of catalyst and the highest fraction of monoclinic phase observed at all applied calcination temperatures.