Highly active Fischer–Tropsch synthesis Co/SiO2 catalysts prepared from microwave irradiation

Studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as energy-diffusive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), a highly active Co/SiO2 catalyst which was prepared through microwave irradiation showed more uniform and better dispersion of the Co particles within the catalyst pellets, compared to that prepared by the conventional heating method. The Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis activity of the microwave-irradiated catalyst was greater than that of the conventional heating one. Not only did the catalytic activity depend on the particle distribution, but also the irradiative time. The longer irradiative time increased the catalytic activity. It was shown that the irradiative time of 14 min was an optimum. It was found that cobalt distributed uniformly inside the whole catalyst pellet prepared by the microwave irradiation. On the contrary, cobalt concentration at the outer surface, with agglomerated form, was greater than that at the center or inner part of the catalyst pellet made by the conventional heating method. Higher dispersion state of the supported cobalt, as also proved by XRD, realized at the microwave irradiated catalyst determined its improved FT activity.