Understanding the Catalytic Activity of Microporous and Mesoporous Zeolites in Cracking by Experiments and Simulations

Porous zeolite catalysts have been widely used in the industry for the conversion of fuel-range molecules for decades. They have the advantages of higher surface area, better hydrothermal stability, and superior shape selectivity, which make them ideal catalysts for hydrocarbon cracking in the petrochemical industry. However, the catalytic activity and selectivity of zeolites for hydrocarbon cracking are significantly affected by the zeolite topology and composition. The aim of this review is to survey recent investigations on hydrocarbon cracking and secondary reactions in micro- and mesoporous zeolites, with the emphasis on the studies of the effects of different porous environments and active site structures on alkane adsorption and activation at the molecular level. The pros and cons of different computational methods used for zeolite simulations are also discussed in this review.