Synthesis of a High-Stability Nanosized Pt-Loaded MgAl2O4 Catalyst for n-Decane Cracking with Enhanced Activity and Durability

Catalytic activity and stability, reflected in high conversion, heat sink, and time on stream, are the major concerns of endothermic hydrocarbon fuel cracking. In this work, we synthesized a stable MgAl 2 O 4 spinel support by the co-precipitation method and a Pt/MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst by the liquid-phase reduction-impregnation method (PMA-V) and incipient-wetness impregnation method (PMA). PMA-V showed a better catalytic activity and stability than PMA. Moreover, the heat sink and stability are significantly superior to the Pt-based catalysts in our previous published works. Through a series of catalyst characterization, we found that the high catalytic activity and stability over PMA-V are owing to the “accessible” Pt active sites with better dispersion and a smaller Pt size, which can efficiently alleviate Pt sintering, stronger metal–support interaction, suitable acidity–alkalinity, and a stable MgAl 2 O 4 spinel structure. The valuable information provided in this work provides an effective approach to improve both catalytic activity and stability for hydrocarbon cracking.