A combined in situ XAS-XRPD-Raman study of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a carbon supported Co catalyst

A cobalt based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyst, supported on a carbon nanofibers/carbon felt composite (Co/CNF/CF) was studied in situ at realistic conditions. The catalyst was monitored by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction (HR-XRPD) and Raman spectroscopy, while changes in the gas phase were observed by mass spectrometry (MS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also applied to characterise the catalyst. The catalyst has a bimodal particle size distribution and exhibits a high deactivation rate. During the in situ study the catalyst appears to reduce further at the induction period of FTS, while crystallite growth is been detected in the same period. At steady state FTS the amount of metallic Co is constant. A change in the volumetric flow towards higher conversions did not affect the degree of reduction or the crystallite size of the catalyst. Post-treatment at 400 °C under H₂ atmosphere leads to sintering of the cobalt particles, while a CO treatment followed by H₂ treatment creates a catalyst rich in hexagonal close packed cobalt through the formation of a Co2C intermediate.