We demonstrate use of a green catalyst precursor and oxidant in a modified photo-Fenton process for synthesis of efficient Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. The facile, scalable process yields small and well-dispersed catalyst nanoparticles (Fe or Co) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that do not require calcination due to the absence of foreign components (nitrate, chloride, or acetate) that has to be removed during post-synthesis treatment. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The results show high catalyst dispersion and smaller catalyst particles with narrow particle size distributions in comparison to catalysts synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation (IWI). The performance of CNT-supported catalysts (CO conversion, C5+ selectivity, and catalyst lifetime) prepared by photo-Fenton process was evaluated during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and compared to CNT- and SiO2-supported catalysts synthesized via conventional method (IWI). In general, CNT-based Fe or Co catalyst prepared by photo-Fenton process (Co or Fe) shows a higher performance at a lower FTS reaction temperature in comparison to conventional catalysts. In particular, Co catalyst obtained from photo-Fenton process shows high CO conversion (~80%) and outstanding selectivity for liquid hydrocarbons (C5+) ~ 70%. The process demonstrates a new synthesis route for exploiting the outstanding material properties of CNTs in catalysis.

Carbon nanotube-supported catalysts prepared by a modified photo-Fenton process for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

255th National Meeting (2018)

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