Supramolecular-templated synthesis of nanoporous zirconia-silica catalysts

Thermally stable, mesoporous, and microporous zirconium-doped silica were prepared via supramolecular templating under low pH conditions. Zirconium loadings of up to 20 wt % were successfully incorporated into the porous silica-based framework, giving materials with very high surface areas, uniform pore sizes, and pore ordering. The zirconium cations were found dispersed throughout the material, and additionally, were preferentially located at the pore wall surface. The extent of Zr incorporation was found to be highly dependent on the synthesis pH and the nature of the Zr salt precursor and could be controlled by modifying the S⁺X^-I⁺ synthesis route. These Zr-doped materials showed catalytic activity for 1-butene isomerization and cis-cyclooctene oxidation reactions.