High CO2 and CO conversion to hydrocarbons using bridged Fe nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes

Abstract

An aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition method has been used to generate a carbon nanotube (CNT) based iron catalyst for the conversion of CO and CO2 to longer chain hydrocarbons. The same formed iron nanoparticles (NPs) used to catalyse the growth of the CNTs were activated in-line to act as catalysts for the CO and CO2 reduction. This methodology negates the multiple steps associated with the purification and subsequent tethering of metal catalyst nanoparticles to CNT supports common in the literature. Results show superior CO and CO2 conversion and selectivity to higher-order hydrocarbons when compared with a traditional system where iron NPs have been deposited onto CNTs from a solution.