Catalytic Performance of Alumina-Supported Cobalt Carbide Catalysts for Low-Temperature Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

The determination of the catalyst’s active phase helps improve catalytic performance Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Different phases cobalt, including cobalt oxide, carbide, and metal, exist during reaction. content each can affect product distribution. In this study, a series carbide catalysts were synthesized by exposure Co/Al2O3 catalyst to CH4 at different temperatures from 300 °C 800 °C. physicochemical properties (CoCx/Al2O3) evaluated characterization methods. performances investigated in an autoclave reactor determine role carbides on CO conversion distribution XRD XPS analysis confirmed presence Co2C prepared catalysts. higher carbidation temperature resulted decomposition methane into hydrogen carbon, graphitic carbon was XRD, XPS, SEM, Raman analysis. also decomposed metallic decreased temperatures. Higher lower selectivity light alkanes, mainly methane. with activity FT increased increasing °C, due cobalt. pure hydrogen, could be converted hexagonal, close-packed (hcp) Co for dissociative adsorption CO, which heavier hydrocarbons.