Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis with Cu-Co Nanocatalysts Prepared Using Novel Inorganic Precursor Complex

Abstract

The structural properties and activities of Cu-Co catalysts used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are explored according to their method of preparation. Impregnation, co-precipitation, and a novel method of thermal decomposition were applied to an inorganic precursor complex to generate the Cu-promoted alumina- and silica-supported cobalt catalysts. The precursors and the catalysts obtained by their calcination underwent powder x-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, specific surface area measurement using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The catalytic performance of all calcined catalysts used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was investigated at 280 to 360 °C. The Cu-Co/SiO2 catalyst was prepared by thermal decomposition of [Cu(H2O)6][Co(dipic)2].2H2O/SiO2, which served as an optimal precursor for synthesis gas conversion into light olefins. The results highlight the advantages of this novel procedure over impregnation and co-precipitation approaches for effective and durable preparation of cobalt catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.