Hexagonal zirconium phosphate nanoparticles as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for selective solvent-free alkylation of phenol with cyclohexanol

Abdol Reza Hajipour, Hirbod Karimi

2014/6/4

Applied Catalysis A: General

Elsevier

Abstract A facile synthesis of hexagonal α-zirconium phosphate (ZP) nanoparticles as an 
effective, eco-friendly and recyclable solid acid catalyst was studied. Polyvinylpyrrolidone 
(PVP) and Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were used as the organic matrix which were the 
dispersing agents and acted as a template for the nanoparticles. It seems H-bonds between 
ZP and PVA or PVP along polymer chains lead to a better dispersion of in situ formed ZP. 
Pure ZP nanoparticles with hexagonal shape were obtained after calcination of PVA/ZP or ...