Recent developments in the application of nanomaterials to understanding molecular level processes in cobalt catalysed Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Abstract

This perspective offers an overview of using nanomaterials for improving our understanding of the underlying mechanism of cobalt catalysed Fischer–Tropsch chemistry. This is considered in terms of enabling the rational development of improved (more selective, efficient, longer lived) catalysts.

Synthesis of cobalt nanodumbbells and their thermal stability under H2, H2/CO and O2 atmospheres

“…Colloid chemistry offers a direct route to control the size, the shape and the structure of the cobalt nanoparticles which makes them a very valuable tool for studying heterogeneous catalysis in general, and the FTS process in particular [25]. Thus, cobalt nanoparticles with controlled size distribution prepared by hot injection or microemulsion methods have been already used to study the particle size effect on the FTS process [20,23].…”

Combining in Situ NEXAFS Spectroscopy and CO2 Methanation Kinetics To Study Pt and Co Nanoparticle Catalysts Reveals Key Insights into the Role of Platinum in Promoted Cobalt Catalysis

“…16 The use of nanomaterials to address questions specifically in the study of cobalt based catalysts for Fischer Tropsch has recently been reviewed, 17 and we have already used size controlled cobalt nanoparticles to explore particle size effects in CO 2 hydrogenation. 18 To understand better the exact role of precious metals in these types of catalysts, we have recently reported on the preparation of Pt-Co bimetallic nanoparticles, where each nanoparticle contains an approximately 1:1 atomic of the two metals.…”

Zeolites as Potential Structures in Obtaining Jet Fuel Through the Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis

“…According to Iglesia [54], promoters can be classified as chemical and structural, increasing the amount of active sites and the activity per site, respectively. The general effect has been postulated to be due to many factors, including (1) intimate electronic contact changing the local band structure of the metal, (2) ensemble-type geometric effects, (3) reducing deactivation by carbonaceous deposits, and (4) enabling more surface sites to be reduced by hydrogen spillover during the initial activation [55].…”