Depletion of crude oil resources and environmental concerns have driven a worldwide research on alternative processes for the production of commodity chemicals. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a process for flexible production of key chemicals from synthesis gas originating from non-petroleum-based sources. Although the use of Fe-based catalysts would be preferred over the widely used Co, manufacturing methods that prevent their fast deactivation due to sintering, carbon deposition, and phase changes have proven challenging.<br/>Herein we described a novel process for preparing a Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) catalyst by thermally decomposing (pyrolysis) an iron carboxylate metal organic framework (MOF) under an inert gaseous atmosphere. This approach produces highly dispersed iron carbides embedded in a matrix of porous carbon.<br/>The effect of temperature of pyrolysis on the physical, chemical and catalytic properties of the resultant Febased catalyst is evaluated. A combined <i>in situ </i>X-ray absorption, infrared and Mössbauer study provided insights into the local and long range structure and electronic nature of iron during pyrolysis.

MOF mediated synthesis of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts: Thinking out of the box

255th National Meeting (2018)

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