Effect of sulfation processes on the physicochemical properties of ZrO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles were thoroughly investigated. SO4/ZrO2 and SO4/TiO2 catalysts were synthesized to identify the acidity character of each. The wet impregnation method of ZrO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles was employed using H2SO4 with various concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 M, followed by calcination at 400, 500, and 600 °C to obtain optimum conditions of the catalyst synthesis process. The highest total acidity was found when using 1 M SO4/ZrO2-500 and 1 M SO4/TiO2-500 catalysts, with total acidity values of 2.642 and 6.920 mmol/ g, respectively. Sulfation increases titania particles via agglomeration. In contrast, sulfation did not practically change the size of zirconia particles. The sulfation process causes color of both catalyst particles to brighten due to the presence of sulfate. There was a decrease in surface area and pore volume of catalysts after sulfation; the materials’ mesoporous structural properties were confirmed. The 1 M SO4/ZrO2 and 1 M SO4/TiO2 catalysts calcined at 500 °C are the best candidate heterogeneous acid catalysts synthesized in thus work.

Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
    2.1. Materials and preparation of catalysts
    2.2. Characterizations
3. Results and Discussions
    3.1. FTIR analysis
    3.2. XRD analysis
    3.3. SEM analysis
    3.4. SAA analysis
4. Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
Author Information

• Karna Wijaya(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta 5581, Indonesia) Corresponding author
• Remi Ayu Pratika(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta 5581, Indonesia)
• Edhita Rahmawati Fitri(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta 5581, Indonesia)
• Prisnu Fadilah Prabani(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta 5581, Indonesia)
• Yufinta Candrasasi(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta 5581, Indonesia)
• Wahyu Dita Saputri(Research Center for Physics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia)
• Sri Mulijani(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Pertanian Bogor 16680, Indonesia)
• Aep Patah(Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung 40116, Indonesia)
• Arief Cahyo Wibowo(Department of Applied Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi 59911, United Arab Emirates)