The present invention features a method of making hydrous 
zirconium oxide having desirable properties, including resistance to 
moisture content, predetermined particle size, and developed 
porosity and surface area. The inventive material is suitable for use as an 
ion exchanger, a catalyst and a 
catalyst support. The process comprises providing a liquid comprising a 
zirconium compound and an 
alkali metal-containing 
reagent. The 
alkali metal-containing 
reagent may comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of MOH-M2SO4, MOH-M3PO4, and combinations thereof, where M is at least one of Li, Na and K. The 
zirconium compound may be treated with the 
alkali metal-containing 
reagent effective to form a mixture which achieves an uptake of alkali 
metal in an amount 
ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 meq / g. The mixture is reacted to form the hydrous 
zirconium oxide. A 
molar ratio of SO4 / Zr and PO4 / Zr in the mixture may range from 0.2-0.7:1. The mixture may be heated at a temperature 
ranging from 80 to 150° C. to produce a 
reaction product. The 
reaction product may be treated with acid having a pH 
ranging from 4 to 8 at a temperature ranging from 20 to 60° C. to form the hydrous 
zirconium oxide. Also featured is a method of making hydrous 
hafnium oxide. The inventive hydrous 
zirconium oxide and hydrous 
hafnium oxide are characterized by at least one of the following: stability against 
moisture loss, a particular surface area, a particular pore size distribution, an affinity towards anions including at least one of PO4, HPO4, H2PO4, AsO4, HAsO4, H2AsO4 and AsO3, oxoanions of Cr, Se, B, Mo,and W, and / or resistance against poisoning by SiO3 and SO4.