Modification of Fe-SiO2 interaction with zirconia for iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

► The Fe-SiO2 interaction could be explained in terms of the formation of Fe-O-Si bond. ► The strong Fe-SiO2 interaction could be weakened by ZrO2. ► The added ZrO2 improved the stability of iron carbides in terms of H2O oxidation.► The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis performance was improved by the addition of ZrO2.