Molecular structure of inorganic supramolecular compounds and its application as a precursor in producing hydrocarbons

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of two inorganic polymers with the formula of [Mn(O)2Ni(dipic)2]n (1) and [Mn(O)2Co(dipic)2]n (2), resulted in the preparation catalyst of Co-Ni-2Mn. The structure of the catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET specific surface area, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic performance of Co-Ni-2Mn, supported by silica was compared in producing hydrocarbons using the Fischer-Tropsch reaction within a temperature range of 160 °C–260 °C with two reference catalysts prepared by co-precipitation and impregnation methods. Simultaneously, the effect of temperature and preparation methods on the catalytic activity of these nanocatalysts was investigated. Temperature studies confirmed that at 220 °C catalytic activity was at its highest. Also, a comparison of data showed that nanocatalyst derived from inorganic complexes had higher catalytic performance. In another study, the length of time for which the catalyst stays stable and maintains its catalytic performance was investigated. It was found that all catalysts were stable after 12 h from the start of the reaction.