NaY/kaolin composite microspheres were synthesized by an in situ method using calcined kaolin microspheres as raw material. By mixing the modified NaY/kaolin composite microspheres and additive microspheres containing ZSM-5, a novel fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst for maximizing propylene yield in FCC unit was prepared. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonium (NH3-TPD), and N-2 adsorption-desorption techniques and tested in a bench FCC unit. The characterization results indicated that the catalyst has more meso- and macro-pores and more acid sites than the reference catalyst and thus can increase propylene yield by 1.27%. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.