Catalytic activity of germanosilicate UTL zeolite in bifunctional hydroisomerisation of n-decane

► Germanosilicate UTL zeolites were tested in the n-decane hydroisomerization/hydrocracking reaction. ► Bifunctional catalysts prepared using three different strategies showed catalytic activity but to very different degrees. ► The sample prepared with no exposure to aqueous environment presented the highest activity and stability. ► Structure degradation of the catalysts was studied by combining XRD technique and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy.