Fischer–Tropsch
(FT) synthesis is an important reaction
for the alternative production of high-quality liquid fuels, which
promote sustainable development by enabling economical decarbonization.
The one-stage FT process involves both hydrocarbon growth and hydrocracking/isomerization
in a single step and is more energy and cost efficient than the two-stage
process. Bifunctional catalysts, composed of acid and metal sites,
are needed in order to achieve one-step synthesis. In this review,
we discuss the state of the art concerning the use of bifunctional
catalysts for the one-stage FT process, focusing on the effect of
metal and acid sites on the catalytic performance. Several supports
with potential utility for the one-stage FT process were analyzed,
including zeolites, clays, alumina, silica, aluminosilicates, and
carbons, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are evaluated.