Effect of the improved preparation method on the structure and acidity of WO₃/ZrO₂ solid superacid

In order to prepare the solid superacid catalyst with higher catalytic activity, the common impregnation process for preparing WO₃/ZrO₂ solid superacid was improved. The catalysts prepared by using Zr(OH)₄ supports with and without alcoholation separately were characterized by BET, XRD, NH₃-TPD and SEM, respectively. The results reveal that more dispersive tungsten active component can be loaded on the Zr(OH)₄ support treated with alcoholation, and the catalyst prepared with this support possesses larger specific surface area. Besides, in the catalyst prepared with this support, ZrO₂ exists mainly in the tetragonal phase after calcination at high temperature, which causes the prepared WO₃/ZrO₂ superacid catalyst to present higher acidic strength and total acid amount. Moreover, the above catalyst prepared disperses in small particles and gives higher catalytic activity when it is used in the catalytic oxidative desulfurization of diesel.