Review

SBA-15 materials exhibit important properties including large surface area, highly ordered mesopores, and high stability in a variety of catalytic reactions. In this study, Al and Zr-loaded SBA-15 materials (Si/Zr = 30, Si/Al = 30), 50 molar ratio with Pd (1, 2, and 4% (w/w)) and Pt (0.5 and 1% (w/w)) were tested in the isomerization of C5–C7 linear alkanes. These solids were characterized using thermal gravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis (TGA–DTA), nitrogen physisorption, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Interestingly, the low porosity SBA-15 materials loaded with 2% (w/w) Pd were most active catalysts for n-heptane isomerization. The mechanochemical addition of tungsten also resulted in the increase of catalytic activity for the reaction. The results herein demonstrate the possibilities of SBA-15 catalysts as a commercial catalyst alternative in the catalytic isomerization of hydrocarbons.