Synthesis and Application of Metallosilicate Supports for Cobalt-Based Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Catalysts

Abstract

Metallosilicates (metal = Al, Ti, Zr, V and Ce) and silica supports were synthesized by a one-pot surfactant-free process for use in cobalt-based Fischer–Tropsch catalysts. The in-depth physical, chemical, and textural properties of all supports were determined by several characterization techniques. The introduction of metal precursors to the synthesis gel reduced the pore size of the support by 24–60%, but the use of Al, Ti, and Zr increased the surface area by 5–35%. Cobalt (15 wt %) was loaded on the supports; hydrogen chemisorption and X-ray diffraction revealed that the dispersion and cobalt crystallite sizes in all catalysts were comparable. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction techniques revealed a greater interaction between Co and metallosilicates, necessitating a higher reduction temperature for these catalysts. The Fischer–Tropsch activities of all the catalysts were determined under industrially relevant conditions (220 °C, 1.83 MPa and 2000 mLsyngas/mLcatalys...