Synthesis of sulfated-zirconia aerogel: effect of the chemical modification of precursor on catalyst porosity

Sulfated-zirconia aerogels were prepared by a one-step sol–gel synthesis combined with the supercritical drying technique using zirconium propoxide starting material with three different modifiers to control the hydrolysis reaction. The present study discloses a way to exert a significant degree of control on the morphology of zirconia sulfate catalysts. By an appropriate choice of the modifier one can deeply affect the porosity of these materials, in particular at low precursor concentration.