Characterization and application of a Pt/ZSM-5/SSMF catalyst for hydrocracking of paraffin wax

• The microstructured catalysts were made with ZSM-5 zeolites growth on stainless steel microfibers for hydrocracking.
• Microstructured catalysts enhanced low-temperature activity for hydrocracking reaction.
• The yield and selectivity of naphtha were improved by using microstructured catalysts.

The microstructured Pt/ZSM-5/SSMF catalysts, for hydrocracking of paraffin wax, have been developed by impregnation method to place Pt onto thin-sheet ZSM-5/SSMF composites obtained by direct growth of ZSM-5 on the sinter-locked stainless steel microfibers (SSMF). The best catalyst is the one with ZSM-5 having a SiO2/Al2O3 weight ratio of 200, delivering ~ 95% conversion with 77.5% selectivity to liquid products or 64.4% selectivity to naphtha at 280 °C. This new approach is capable of increasing the naphtha selectivity with high activity maintenance in comparison with the literature catalysts.