Effect of Co crystallinity on Co/CNT catalytic activity in CO/CO2 hydrogenation and CO disproportionation

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different degree of surface oxidation were used as supports for 5wt.% Co catalysts. CNTs and Co/CNT catalysts were analyzed by XPS, nitrogen adsorption, TEM and electron diffraction to reveal their structure. High oxidation degree of CNT surface (8.6at.% of O) and low Co loading led to predominantly amorphous Co species. This resulted in the absence of catalytic activity in both CO and CO2 hydrogenation in opposite to the catalyst supported on less oxidized CNTs (5.4at.% of O) where Co species were found to be crystalline. Thermal treatment of inactive catalyst in H2 and He led to the formation of Co crystal phase which was active in catalysis. Co particle size in catalyst supported on strongly oxidized CNTs was unchanged during CO hydrogenation in opposite to Co supported on less oxidized CNTs. Carbon shell formation on the surface of amorphous Co particles during CO hydrogenation was revealed, which testified CO disproportionation. Qualitative mechanism of CO hydrogenation on small Co particles was proposed.