A commercial Na-mordenite sample underwent ion exchange with HCl. The ion-exchanged sample was sequentially submitted to hydrothermal treatments at 823, 873 and 923 K, each followed by acid leaching of the extraframework alumina (EFAL) generated. Six mordenite samples, presenting different framework and extraframework compositions, were obtained. These samples were used to prepare bifunctional catalysts by mixing them with Pt/Al2O3 in different proportions. The generated samples presented distinct platinum contents and were tested in the hydroisomerization reaction of ethylbenzene. A maximum xylene selectivity at about 0.45 wt% of platinum was observed. Normally, the total activity increased as the platinum content increased; this effect was more pronounced in the samples which presented lower mesoporosity. The most dealuminated sample, which presented a high mesoporosity, did not show any change in activity with the increase in platinum content.
Hydroisomerization; ethylbenzene; xylenes; zeolite; mordenite; dealumination