Bimetallic Loaded Onto SBA‐15 Mesoporous Catalysts for Improvement n‐Heptane Isomerization

In this study, SBA‐15 was loaded with 1 wt% Pt‐Ni bimetallic catalysts to improve the hydroisomerization and hydrocracking of n‐heptane (C7H16). The structural and textural features of the catalysts, both with and without encapsulated SBA‐15, were examined using XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDS, BET, and TEM techniques. Catalyst activity was tested in a fixed‐bed reactor with a controlled flow rate and pressure, within a temperature range of 250°C–400°C. The Pt‐Ni (1%)/SBA‐15 catalyst achieved a high n‐heptane conversion of up to 97% at 400°C. However, the isomerization selectivity remained relatively low, with cracking reactions dominating at higher temperatures, which limits the catalyst's practical use. Although the Pt‐Ni/SBA‐15 catalyst shows promising high conversion rates of n‐heptane, its limited isomerization selectivity and tendency for cracking at elevated temperatures restrict its real‐world application. Future research should focus on adjusting the catalyst's acidity, optimizing metal loading, and modifying supports to enhance selectivity and lower operating temperatures.