Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over cobalt/montmorillonite promoted with different interlayer cations

► K+, Mg2+, Zr4+, Fe3+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ce3+ was ion-exchanged with Na-MMT, respectively. ► Effect of interlayer cations on Co/MMT for FT synthesis was investigated. ► Reduction behavior of Co/MMT significantly affected by interlayer cations. ► High selectivity to liquid FT hydrocarbon and low selectivity to wax over Co/MMT. ► Co/Zr-MMT is an important FT catalyst for selectively synthesizing liquid fuels.