Sucrose was pyrolyzed on gamma alumina surface to prepare carbon covered alumina (CCA) material. Alumina and CCA supported Pt-Sn catalysts were prepared by the complex impregnation method under vacuum. Dehydrogenation of n-octadecane was performed to study the effect of carbon addition, Pt loading and Sn/Pt weight ratio on the catalytic dehydrogenation activity, selectivity and catalyst stability. BET, mercury porosimetry, XRD, CO-chemisorption, TPR and TG-DTA were used for the carrier and the corresponding catalyst characterization. The results showed that more carbon addition, Pt loading and higher Sn/Pt ratio are propitious to the mono-olefin selectivity and catalyst stability. Pt-Sn was easily formed on the Pt-Sn/CCA catalysts, especially when the Pt loading and Sn/Pt ratio were very high. To keep optimal dehydrogenation conversion, taking consideration to good selectivity and stability, the carbon content, Pt and Sn loading of Pt-Sn/CCA catalysts should be 8.37 wt.%, 0.5 wt.% and 3 wt.%, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.