Linear hexane isomerization over Ni-containing pentasils

Catalysts containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 5.0, 15.0 wt% nickel in a metallic form supported on H-form of pentasil zeolite have been synthesized. Samples have been characterized by nitrogen adsorption/desorption, thermoprogrammed desorption of ammonia, XRD, TEM and FTIR method. Nickel-containing catalysts have been studied in linear hexane isomerization. High activity of synthesized samples has been shown. The peculiarities of the activity and selectivity of the nickel-containing samples are interpreted basing on the possible increase of the acidity of catalysts due to the formation of active centers that combine Brønsted acid site on the one hand and Lewis acid site (exchanged cations and framework defects) on the other side.