The surface modification effects of silica support by organic solvents for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts

The surface of silica support was pretreated by various organic solvents before the impregnation of cobalt precursor. The catalysts prepared from pretreated supports exhibited highly catalytic activity, due to high dispersion and high reduction degree of the supported cobalt. Co/SiO2 catalyst pretreated by acetic acid showed the highest CO conversion and the lowest CH4 selectivity. The pretreatment by organic solvent modified the surface properties of silica support, realizing the high dispersion and the increased reduction degree of supported cobalt simultaneously. The properties of various catalysts were characterized by XRD, TPR and H2 chemisorption.