Hydronium Ions on the Surface of a Partially Hydrolyzed α-Zirconium Phosphate: Solid-State 2H and 31P MAS NMR Evidence

Characterization of the alpha-zirconium phosphates 1-D(2)Oh and 1-D(2)Oh/dr, partially hydrolyzed with D2O, by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and multinuclear solid-state NMR techniques led to an unprecedented observation of D3O+ ions located on the surface and stabilized by hydrogen bonds. These ions are formed after the surface phosphate groups have been lost.

Automated summary

Characterization of partially hydrolyzed α-zirconium phosphates revealed the presence of D3O+ ions stabilized by hydrogen bonds on the surface, which is an unprecedented observation after the loss of surface phosphate groups.