The preparation and characterization of zirconized silica has been investigated. The material was prepared via the reaction of silica with zirconium tetrabutoxide, optimized by a central composite design and response surface methodology. The new material was characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption investigations (BET/BJH) showing specific surface areas adequate for use as a chromatographic support. DRUVS, FTIR, XPS, XAS, XRF and SEM methods also were used to characterize the new material. It was shown that silica networks were not significantly modified with the introduction of zirconium. Surface analyses show that there is appreciable element enrichment at the surface, while significant changes in binding energies of Zr 3d, Si 2p, and O 1s have been detected. The above observations indicate that Si-O-Zr bonds were formed, with zirconium grafted onto the silica surface, yielding a support suitable for HPLC. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.55041671137143