Insight into the Physicochemical Properties of Co-Based Catalysts in Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

The effect of the different supports and catalyst-reducing agents on the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) reaction was investigated. The large surface area SiO2 support with a smaller pore volume deposited fine, evenly distributed Co3O4. Cubic-shaped Co3O4 appeared in clusters on the TiO2 support, whereas Co3O4 existed as single large particles on the Al2O3 support. The activity data obtained were discussed in terms of cluster size, particle size, particle shape, and mass transport limitations. The SiO2-supported catalysts showed a higher activity for the formation of paraffinic products when reduced in H2 at 250 °C. This is attributed to the formation of the CoO-Co active bond, which enhanced the activation of CO and the hydrogenation reactions. A higher activity was observed for the TiO2-supported catalyst at a higher reduction temperature (350 °C) when the mass of Co metal was higher. It afforded more paraffinic products due to enhanced secondary hydrogenation of olefins at higher reaction rates. The large Co3O4 supported on Al2O3 showed the least activity at both reduction temperatures due to strong metal-support interactions. The H2-reduced catalysts exhibited superior activity compared to all the syngas-reduced catalysts. Syngas reduction led to surface carbon deposition and the formation of surface carbides which suppressed the hydrogenation reactions and are selective to olefinic products.