Co/SBA-15 catalysts with highly dispersed Co species inside mesopores were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation using ethylene glycol (EG) -added ethanol solutions. XRD results indicated that pore structure of SBA-15 with 2d-hexgonal symmetry was preserved for the glycol-modified Co/SBA-15 catalysts. Use of EG as an additive decreased sizes of Co3O4 species in the calcined catalysts from 11 to 4 nm. N2 adsorption measurement showed that Co3O4 species with 4 nm size were highly dispersed on the surface of mesopore walls of SBA-15 without forming plugged mesopores. H2-TPR results revealed high reducibility of Co ( > 90 %) even for highly dispersed Co3O4 species inside the mesopores. FTS activities of the glycol-modified Co/SBA-15 catalysts were 1.6-2.0 holds higher than that of Co/SBA-15 catalysts prepared in the absence of glycols. Activity enhancement of the glycol-modified Co/SBA-15 was attributed to highly dispersed and reducible Co species induced by the use of glycols.

Synthesis of small cobalt nanoparticles inside mesopores of SBA-15, and its impact on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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