Mesostructured TUD-1 supported molybdophosphoric acid (HPMo/TUD-1) catalysts for n-heptane hydroisomerization

Mesoporous molecular sieves TUD-1 (Technische Universiteit Delft) supported molybodophosphoric acid (HPMo) catalysts with various loadings of active HPMo component (10–50 wt.%) were prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia. The characterization results revealed that HPMo was highly dispersed over TUD-1 support in the samples with HPMo loading no more than 30 wt.%. The supported catalysts were tested in the hydroisomerization of n-heptane at atmosphere pressure in the temperature range of 200–350 °C. The optimal HPMo content for the reaction was found around 30 wt.%. High isomer selectivity and superior long-term stability were observed over this catalyst.