Solvothermally derived Co3O4@m-SiO2 nanocomposites for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Monodispersible Co3O4 nanoparticles were prepared via a facile solvothermal route using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the capping agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results, together with the N2 physisorption, indicated that those as-made Co3O4 nanoparticles of about 17 nm could be used as cores to prepare core@shell nanocomposites with mesoporous silica shell. Such monodispersible Co3O4 nanoparticles were observed to be coated completely by mesoporous silica shell, and showed the higher catalytic activity and selectivity towards C5–C18 fraction than Co/mesoporous SiO2 (Co/m-SiO2) in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS).

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Co3O4 nanoparticles could be prepared via solvothermal route using PVP.
► As-made Co3O4 nanoparticles could be used to prepare core@shell nanocomposites.
► Co3O4@m-SiO2 nanocomposites showed the nearly perfect core@shell structures.
► The Co@m-SiO2 catalyst showed the higher C5–C18 selectivity than Co/m-SiO2.