Nanocrystalline Thin Films as a Model System for Sulfated Zirconia

We are presenting a model system for sulfated zirconia - a material interesting for the catalysis of light alkane isomerization - in the form of a silicon-supported nanocrystalline thin film. The goal is to obtain a conducting, non-porous material which allows the successful application of surface science techniques. The paper describes the optimization of the wet-chemical preparation method of such films, and characterization data are shown to demonstrate that these films are comparable to sulfated zirconia powders