Zirconium hydrogen phosphate
[CAS# 13772-29-7]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Phosphides, metal phosphoric acid, metaphosphoric acid, hypophosphorous acid and pyrophosphate
• Name: Zirconium hydrogen phosphate
• Synonyms: alpha-Zirconium phosphate; gamma-Zirconium phosphate
• Molecular Formula: Zr(HPO₄)₂
• Molecular Weight: 283.18
• CAS Registry Number: 13772-29-7
• EC Number: 237-401-7
• SMILES: OP(=O)([O-])[O-].OP(=O)([O-])[O-].[Zr+4]

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Risk Statements: H317
• Safety Statements: P261-P272-P280-P302+P352-P333+P313-P362+P364

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317

Discovery and Applications

Zirconium phosphate was first synthesized and characterized in the 1960s by researchers working on ion exchange materials. It is derived from a combination of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4), which results in a unique crystal structure with high ion exchange capacity and thermal stability.

Zirconium phosphate is widely used as an ion exchange resin in a variety of industrial processes, including water purification, wastewater treatment, and nuclear waste management. Its ability to selectively adsorb and exchange cations makes it valuable in removing heavy metals and radioactive ions from aqueous solutions. Due to its acidity and high surface area, zirconium phosphate is an effective catalyst for organic synthesis reactions such as esterification, alkylation, and oxidation. It promotes reactions by providing an active surface for chemical transformations, thereby increasing yields and selectivity. Zirconium phosphate has been used as a solid acid catalyst in petrochemical refining and biomass conversion processes. It promotes the conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks into valuable chemicals and fuels through hydrolysis, dehydration, and other catalytic reactions. Zirconium phosphate membranes have excellent proton conductivity and chemical stability, making them suitable for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and other electrochemical devices. These membranes enable efficient proton transport while preventing crossover of fuel and oxidant species, thereby improving the performance and durability of fuel cell systems. Zirconium hydrogen phosphate nanoparticles show potential as drug delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility, tunable surface chemistry, and controlled release properties. They can encapsulate therapeutic agents and target specific tissues or cells, thereby improving drug efficacy and minimizing side effects in medical applications. Zirconium hydrogen phosphate-based materials have been investigated for gas adsorption and storage applications, particularly for capturing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gases and industrial emissions.

References

Ju-Myeung Lee, Yuma Kikuchi, Hidenori Ohashi, Takanori Tamaki and Takeo Yamaguchi. Novel mild conversion routes of surface-modified nano zirconium oxide precursor to layered proton conductors, J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 6239.