Synthesis and characterization of a sol-gel-derived zeolite prototype as a prospective hydrocracking catalyst

This paper deals with the preparation and evaluation of a zeolite prototype developed from an aluminosilicate precursor for its possible application as a hydrocracking catalyst. Aluminium nitrate and tetraethyl orthosilicate at definite proportions were the primary reagents for the gel synthesis. Nickel loading and stipulated post-synthesis treatment of the material are also addressed in this paper. The characteristics of the calcined aluminosilicate gel were estimated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) study with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), differential thermal analysis (DTA) with thermogravimetry (TG) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) at different temperatures. A preliminary laboratory-scale investigation of hydrocracking performance of this zeolite prototype was also conducted.