Enhanced triisopropylbenzene cracking and suppressed coking on tailored composite of Y-zeolite/amorphous silica–alumina catalyst

Catalytic composites of Y-zeolite-amorphous silica–alumina (ASA) were prepared by four different methods to enhance pre-cracking and cracking of triisopropylbenzene (TIPB). TIPB cracking on composite catalysts were compared with a conventionally prepared catalyst. The samples were characterized by FESEM, XRD, N2-adsorption and NH3-TPD. The catalysts performance was evaluated by triisopropylbenzene cracking at 350 ̊C in a fixed bed reactor. The coke content of the catalysts was measured by TPO. Compared to the conventional catalyst, significantly deeper cracking to benzene of about 117% higher, up to 62% lower amount of coke, and lower deactivation rate are observed for the composite catalysts.