Comparison of PdCo/SBA-15 prepared by co-impregnation and sequential impregnation for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

•Co-Pd/SBA-15 was prepared by co-impregnation (CIP) and sequential impregnation (SIP).•The reduced SIP catalyst had better Co dispersion.•Pd enhanced reduction of cobalt oxides and hydrogenation in FTS.•The SIP catalyst gave higher conversions of CO and H2.•The SIP catalyst gave higher selectivity and yield of C5–C9 products.

Properties and catalytic performance of bimetallic Pd–Co/SBA-15 prepared by co-impregnation (0.2Pd–10Co-CIP) and sequential impregnation (0.2Pd–10Co-SIP) for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were investigated. After calcination, Co3O4 was formed and located inside the channels of SBA-15 and on external surface. Compared to 0.2Pd–10Co-SIP, 0.2Pd–10Co-CIP had a smaller surface area, pore size, lower reduction temperature and less active sites due to larger particle sizes of Co3O4. From FTS testing, 0.2Pd–10Co-SIP provided higher and steadier conversions of CO and H2 as well as higher yield of C5–C9 products.

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