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Free keywords:
Acidity, Calcination, Film, Surface, temperature
Project 3, Zirconium oxide model systems
Abstract:
To improve the application of surface characterization techniques to the isomerization catalyst sulfated zirconia (SZ), a model system consisting of a nanocrystalline thin film has previously been developed. In this work, the role of the atmosphere during thermal treatment and validation of the model films through their interaction with probe molecules have been investigated. Physical and chemical characterization by transmission and scanning electron microscopies, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively, has been performed. Surface properties of the films have been studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy using basic probe molecule ammonia and reactant n-butane. Results show the films to have the required structure, composition and interactions to act as suitable models for SZ catalysts.
