Silylated Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Silylated Co3O4-mesoporous SiO2 catalysts were prepared by a surface organic modification to understand the influence of a hydrophobic surface on their performance in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectra showed that the reaction of the surface silanol groups with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) took place effectively, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that such a modification did not affect Co3O4 crystallite size. Furthermore, hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) illustrated a higher extent of reduction for silylated Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalysts. As a result, such a silylated core–shell structured Co catalyst showed the higher catalytic activity and better selectivity towards C5–C18 fraction than the unsilylated Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalyst in the FTS, which was likely favorable to the internal transportation and their hydrophobic shell.

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► Core–shell Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalyst could be prepared via the solvothermal method.
► Silylated Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalysts could be prepared using HMDS.
► Orangic modification of Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalysts could enhance reduction degree.
► Silylated Co3O4-m-SiO2 catalysts showed the better C5–C18 selectivity.