Enhanced Fischer–Tropsch activity on Co/P–Al2O3 catalyst: Effect of phosphorous content

The phosphorous-modified γ-Al2O3 support is used to prepare cobalt-based Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts (Co/P–Al2O3) by slurry impregnation method. Since alumina surface is partially transformed to aluminum phosphate by phosphorous modification, it alters the cobalt cluster size resulting in the changes of FT activity. The appropriate amount of phosphorous loading on alumina surface is around 1–2 wt.% based on the alumina support. The enhanced activity is mainly attributed to the formation of a homogeneously distributed small cobalt clusters and redispersion of cobalt species during the FT reaction.