Selectivity in the conversion of n-heptane on an Al-PILC modified with Ga

This work compares the catalytic activity for the hydroisomerization and hydrocracking of n-heptane for two pillared clay materials, one with polyoxycations of Al and the other with the same cation modified by the inclusion of Ga. The conversion rate for the clay pillared with mixed cations is lower than that for the material pillared only with aluminum throughout the temperature range, which is attributable to its smaller specific surface area. However, at high temperatures the conversion rate of the material with mixed pillars continues to rise steadily, indicating a greater thermal stability. The incorporation of Ga also increases the selectivity for isomerization.