ZSM-5 catalysts (C(X)-ZSM-5) with micropores and mesopores were prepared by a carbon templating method with a variation of carbon template content (X=0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt.%), and they were applied to the production of light olefins (ethylene and propylene) through catalytic cracking of C-5 raffinate. The effect of carbon template content on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity of C(X)-ZSM-5 catalysts was investigated. It was revealed that physicochemical properties of C(X)-ZSM-5 catalysts were strongly influenced by carbon template content. Adsorption ability for n-pentane and mesopore volume of C(X)ZSM-5 catalysts increased with increasing carbon template content. It was also found that catalytic performance of C(X)-ZSM-5 catalysts was closely related to the mesoporosity of the catalyst. Conversion of C-5 raffinate and yield for light olefins increased with increasing mesopore/micropore volume ratio of the catalyst, while selectivity for ethylene and propylene showed constant values. Thus, carbon template content in the C(X)-ZSM-5 catalysts strongly affected the mesoporosity of the catalyst, and in turn, mesoporosity played an important role in determining the catalytic performance in the production of light olefins through catalytic cracking of C-5 raffinate. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.