Sputtered nano-cobalt on H-USY zeolite for selectively converting syngas to gasoline

Selectively converting CO and H2 to gasoline product (isoparaffin and olefin) in one step still remains a great challenge. We demonstrate effective H-USY zeolite supported nano-cobalt bifunctional catalysts for this catalytic reaction, which are prepared by the novel physical sputtering process. Particles of the sputtered cobalt exist in nano-level and are well-dispersed on acid USY zeolite. Easy activation of the loaded nano-cobalt is also achieved in a low-temperature hydrogen reduction atmosphere. In the tandem catalytic reaction, the sputtered bifunctional Co/USY catalyst exhibits a much higher CO conversion and higher isoparaffin selectivity than the conventional impregnated one. Compared with H-Mor, H-Beta and other zeolites supported catalysts, H-USY zeolite supported cobalt catalyst shows the clearest promotional effect on the activity of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The described synthesis herein provides a new pathway to solve the problem caused by the strong metal-support interaction (MSI) in heterogeneous catalysis.

Direct synthesis of gasoline-ranged isoparaffin was achieved on the novel sputtered Co/H-USY catalyst. Well dispersion of Co nanoparticles on H-USY zeolite accelerates the tandem reaction including Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthesis and isomerization.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide