Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) converts gaseous CO and H2 (syn gas) to hydrocarbons for chemical feedstocks and fuel. With syn gas coming from coal, natural gas and biomass, FTS offers a sustainable source of energy relevant products instead of petroleum based sources. CO dissociation is a crucial step in this process and the influence of adsorbed hydrogen is of much interest. This study aims to provide mechanistic information on the dissociation of CO. Namely, will CO dissociate from direct interaction with the metal surface (direct dissociation), or does CO also need to interact with adsorbed hydrogen to result in dissociation (hydrogen-assisted dissociation)? Model surfaces of cobalt supported on SiO2 were created to observe CO dissociation under ultra-high vacuum conditions. We show that adsorbed hydrogen inhibits CO dissociation on cobalt films, suggesting CO dissociation prefers a direct dissociation mechanism on bulk HCP cobalt. In contrast, adsorbed hydrogen was shown to enhance CO dissociation on cobalt nanoparticles, suggesting CO dissociation prefers a hydrogen-assisted mechanism on nanoparticle FCC cobalt. These experimental results provide a better understanding of CO dissociation for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and are consistent with previous theoretical results.

CO dissociation on model Co/SiO2 catalysts: Effect of adsorbed hydrogen

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.