Abstract

Porous zirconium phosphates with surface areas in the range 400–500 m² g⁻¹ have been prepared by aqueous precipitation in the presence of various surfactants, followed by thermal treatment at 773 K. Preparation conditions, including surfactant nature and concentration, type of precipitating agent and fluoride additives were found to have significant influence on the textural properties of the resulting solids. X-Ray diffraction showed that, before calcination, refluxed samples have an ordered lamellar structure which disappears upon oxidation of the surfactant. IR and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy indicate formation of P–O–P bonds due to condensation of phosphate groups during the heat treatment.