Catalytic behavior of Pt nanoparticles dealuminated Y-zeolite for some n-alkane hydroisomerization

Dealuminated zeolite Y-supported platinum was prepared adopting two dealumination methods, viz. fast (1, 3 and 6 h) and slow method (18 h). The content of Pt was constant at 0.5 wt% in all investigated catalysts. The prepared samples were characterized using TGA/DSC, XRD, FTIR techniques, nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C and TEM-connected with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Surface acidity was investigated via pyridine adsorption using FT-IR spectroscopy. The parent and dealuminated Y-zeolite samples were characterized by their microporous system. By increasing the dealumination time to 6 h, the increased specific surface area and total pore volume indicated a sort of pore opening taking place with an increase in the accessibility of nitrogen molecules. DSC confirmed the thermal stability of the dealuminated zeolite samples up to 800 °C. The prepared catalysts were tested through hydroisomerization reactions of n-hexane and n-heptane using a micro-catalytic pulse technique. Different catalytic behaviors could be distinguished for the dealuminated samples based on competitive reactions; hydro-isomerization, hydrocracking and cyclization. Slow dealumination leads to the most selective catalysts for hydroisomerization. n-Heptane was converted to higher extent than n-hexane; cracking process was more evident when the former was fed to the reactor.