To determine the effect of morphology and particle size of ZSM-5 (particle type ZSM-5) on catalytic performance (catalytic activity, product distribution, and catalyst lifetime), ZSM-5 with varying particle size and a ZSM-5 nanosheet were prepared to study the conversion of ethylene and cracking of n-heptane. The physicochemical properties were also investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Si-29 MAS, and Al-27 3Q MAS nuclear magnetic resonance. The rate of ethylene conversion was found to increase with decreasing ZSM-5 zeolite particle size, while the product distribution was independent of the particle size and morphology of the catalyst. In n-heptane cracking, the ZSM-5 nanosheet showed lower catalytic activity than particulate ZSM-5, and the distribution of hydrocarbon products was independent of the morphology of ZSM-5. In both reactions, the effects of morphology and particle size on catalytic performance will be discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.