Fischer–Tropsch synthesis: Activity of metallic phases of cobalt supported on silica

• Co-hcp and Co-fcc metallic phases were tested for FTS.
• Higher dispersion of cobalt for Co-hcp compared to Co-fcc catalyst.
• Co-hcp shows higher CO conversion than Co-fcc on a catalyst weight basis.
• Hcp and fcc phases of cobalt are stable during FTS.

By using different catalyst pretreatments, silica supported cobalt catalysts were activated to produce either hcp or fcc cobalt metal particles, as verified by XRD. H2-TPR and pulse re-oxidation experiments show a higher dispersion of cobalt for the catalyst containing the hcp metallic phase compared to the fcc phase. Cobalt containing hcp metallic phase has shown higher CO conversion on a catalyst weight basis and less methane selectivity compared to fcc containing catalysts under similar reaction conditions. Both hcp and fcc phases of cobalt are stable during the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis.

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