Fischer–Tropsch synthesis using Co and Co-Ru bifunctional nanocatalyst supported on carbon nanotube prepared via chemical reduction method

We used a chemical reduction method to synthesize the catalysts of cobalt(Co) and cobalt-ruthenium(Co-Ru) bifunctional supported on carbon nanotubes(CNTs) for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis(FTS) in a fixedbed reactor. These Co-Ru/CNTs catalysts were synthesized with various weight proportions of Ru/Co(0.1 to 0.4 wt%) with keeping a fixed amount of cobalt(10 wt%). Moreover, for comparison purpose, CNTs supported Co-and Co(Ru)-based catalysts at same loading as the above catalysts were prepared through impregnation method. We characterize the present catalysts through the various techniques such as Energy–dispersive X-ray(EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET),Hydrogen-Temperature-Programmed Reduction(H_2-TPR), Hydrogen-Temperature-Programmed Desorption(H_2-TPD) and O_2 titration. Thus using the chemical reduction method, a narrow particle size distribution was obtained so that the small cobalt particles were confined inside the CNTs. The Co-based catalyst prepared by impregnation was compared with the Co-Ru catalysts at the same loading. The results demonstrated that the use of chemical reduction method led to decrease the average Co oxide cluster size to8.7 nm so that the reduction enhanced about 24% and stabilized an earlier time at the stream. Among the prepared catalysts, the results indicated that the Co-Ru/CNTs catalysts demonstrated high catalytic activity with the highest long-chain hydrocarbons(C_(5+)), selectivity up to 74.76%, which was higher than those we obtained by the Co-Ru/γ-Al_2O_3(61._20%), Co/CNTs(43.68%) and Co/γ-Al_2O_3(37.69%). At the same time, comparing with those catalyst synthesized by impregnation, the use of chemical reduction led to enhancement of the C_(5+) selectivity from 59.30% to 68.83% and increment in FTS rate about 11% for the Co-Ru/CNTs catalyst.

Effect of synthesis solution pH of Co/γ-Al_2O_3 catalyst on its catalytic properties for methane conversion to syngas

The cobalt nanoparticles over γ-Al_2O_3 support were prepared via chemical reduction of CoCl_2·6H_2O using NaBH_4 with various values of pH in the range of 11. 92-13. 80. Synthesized catalysts were studied through X-ray diffraction( XRD),N_2 adsorption/desorption( BET),H_2-temperature programmed reduction( H_2-TPR),H_2-chemisorption,O_2 pulse titration and temperature programmed oxidation( TPO) methods. Obtained results exhibited the synthesis solution pH showed a significant influence on the activity and selectivity in partial oxidation of methane reaction. The methane conversion,CO selectivity and H_2 yield were enhanced by increasing of the synthesis solution pH. Compared to other catalysts,the catalyst that synthesized at pH of 13.80,showed a superior ability in syngas production with a H_2/CO ratio of near 2 and also a proper stability against deactivation during the partial oxidation of methane.