MoP/Hβ catalyst prepared by low-temperature auto-combustion for hydroisomerization of n-heptane

•MoP/Hβ bifunctional catalyst was prepared by the low-temperature auto-combustion method.•Combustion method led to less blockage of β pores and more strong acid sites.•Combustion method improved the activity of MoP/Hβ for n-heptane hydroisomerization.

Molybdenum phosphide supported on Hβ zeolite (MoP/Hβ) was prepared via the low-temperature auto-combustion method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and temperature-programmed desorption of NH3. The as-synthesized MoP/Hβ was employed as the bifunctional catalyst for the hydroisomerization of n-heptane, and gave a much higher activity compared to the counterpart MoP/Hβ catalyst prepared by the traditional impregnation method. The promoted effect of the low-temperature auto-combustion method on the catalytic performance is attributed to the less blockage of β pores and more strong acid sites of the as-synthesized MoP/Hβ.

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