The features of the CO disproportionation reaction over iron-containing catalysts prepared by different methods

Abstract

The peculiarities of the CO disproportionation reaction over iron-containing catalysts have been studied. The reaction is known to be reversible and resulting in a direct path to the formation of carbon deposits and CO2. The iron-containing catalysts (1–5 wt% of Fe) were prepared by three different methods: co-precipitation of Fe- and Al-containing precursors, impregnation of γ-Al2O3 support with iron nitrate, and solution combustion synthesis (SCS). The latter technique is based on self-propagating combustion of active component precursor with fuel additive deposited on surface of fiberglass. The synthesized samples were characterized with physicochemical methods and tested in CO disproportionation reaction within the temperature range of 120–600 °C. The co-precipitated catalyst 5 wt% Fe–Al2O3 showed the highest activity (45 % conversion of CO) which is much superior to that observed for other catalysts in this reaction. According to SEM, CO disproportionation reaction has resulted in carbon deposition in both amorphous and nanostructured forms. It was shown that preparative technique has significant effect on catalytic performance of iron-containing catalysts.