Preparation of hierarchically meso-macroporous hematite Fe2O3 using PMMA as imprint template and its reaction performance for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

The paper described a facile approach to prepare hierarchically meso-macroporous hematite Fe2O3 using PMMA as imprint template and its catalytic reaction in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The mixed solution of iron nitrate with ethylene glycol (EG) and methanol was infiltrated into the void of the colloidal crystal of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sphere with size in several microns. Heating initiated nitrate oxidation of the EG to produce metal glyoxylate salt. Further heating converted the glyoxylate salt to metal oxide and the skeleton of PMMA was reserved, which produced the hierarchically mesoporous and macroporous hematite Fe2O3. The fabricated iron oxide was applied to catalyze the FTS, showing high reaction activity and stability in comparison with the conventional Fe FTS catalyst.

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► Hierarchically meso-macroporous Fe2O3 using PMMA as template was prepared.
► The Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over the prepared catalyst was conducted.
► The Fe2O3 with hierarchical pore structure showed higher activity.