Preparation of a new precipitated iron catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

It is well known that a typical precipitated iron catalyst was prepared by iron(III) nitrate (Fe(NO3)3). The modified iron catalyst was prepared by iron(II) sulfate in our laboratory. The results from catalytic performance tests showed that the iron catalyst prepared from iron sulfate (cat-S) has the higher activity for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) than the catalyst prepared from iron nitrate (cat-N). The results from XRD of catalyst before use showed the difference definitely. The XRD patterns of these catalysts indicate that the main phase of cat-N is Fe2O3, whereas the phases of cat-S are a mixture of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4. It is considered that magnetite was directly formed during precipitation and contained in the catalyst before use enhances the activity for FTS.