Preparation of a novel catalyst UDCaT-5: enhancement in activity of acid-treated zirconia—effect of treatment with chlorosulfonic acid vis-à-vis sulfuric acid

UDCaT-5, a zirconia-based catalyst, with high sulfur content (9% w/w) but preservation of the tetragonal phase of zirconia was synthesized for the first time, by using chlorosulfonic acid as a new source for sulfate ions. UDCaT-5 was characterized by using elemental analysis, FTIR, ammonia-TPD, XRD, and BET surface area. Its catalytic activity and stability were evaluated and compared with SZrO2 in three different reactions. The characterization and reaction studies show that UDCaT-5 exhibits more superacidity vis-à-vis conventional sulfated zirconia prepared by using sulfuric acid.