Catalytic behaviour of Pt or Pd metal nanoparticles–zeolite bifunctional catalysts for n-pentane hydroisomerization

Bifunctional catalysts based on acidified Mordenite or ZSM-5 and platinum or palladium as metal function, were tested for n-pentane hydroisomerization. Two methods were used to introduce platinum: wetness impregnation and microemulsion; palladium was introduced via an organometallic complex. A lower catalytic activity was obtained for palladium catalyst in comparison with platinum samples which is explained by the lower activity of Pd in the dehydrogenation reaction step. Different catalytic behaviour of systems based on Mordenite and ZSM-5 was attributed to zeolite pore structure. The uncompleted removal of surfactant during calcination could explain the lower activity showed by catalysts prepared by microemulsion.