Formation of new acid sites in dilute oxide solid solutions: A predictive model

A predictive model for the formation of new acid sites in a dilute solid solution of two component oxides is being developed by examining the electrostatic potential at the substituting cation site and the changes in the matrix necessary to balance the stoichiometry. When the prediction was used to compare with experimental results, the satisfactory comparison suggests that the electrostatic potential and the balance of stoichiometry are the two dominant factors in new acid site formation. The implications of this are discussed.