The Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
process is a polymerization reaction in which various chain lengths
of product can be produced from a mixture of CO and H2 (synthesis
gas). A solvothermal technique was used to synthesize magnetic iron–cobalt–cerium
mixed oxide nanoparticles. Process variables such as reaction temperature
and time can play an important role in a chemical process. The results
showed that the optimal preparation time and temperature in order
to enhance light olefin (C2–C4) selectivity
is 18 h and 120 °C. The effects of experimental variables including
temperature (120, 150, 180 °C) and reaction time (10, 14, 18
h) were investigated. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), temperature
programed-reduction (TPR), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), and X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Average crystalline size determined
from XRD patterns ranged over 4.5–8.3 nm. The results indicate
that reaction temperature and time have marked effects on the magnetic
properties of nanoparticles changing from a ferromagnetic behavior
to a superparamagnetic one at a reaction temperature of 120 °C.
TPR profiles of the nanoparticles synthesized at different temperatures
revealed that reducibility shifted to higher temperatures. XPS results
verified Fe3+, Co2+, and Ce3+ of
oxidation states.