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.