Catalysts for experimentation are produced having a controlled matrix pore structure. The manufacturing process utilizes tape casting in the drying procedure in which a catalyst slurry is cast on a substrate and dried at a temperature of between about 50° C. to 200° C. for a period of time of about 0.1 to 1.0 hour. The dried catalyst particles can be removed from the substrate by several techniques, including scraping, burning, and deforming the substrate material. The resulting catalytic particles can be produced in an amount of about ca. 3 g to 300 g from slurries with volumes between 5 cc to 500 cc, which are suitable for small scale FCC reactors and for high throughput experimentation.