Polyethylene Glycol-Phase Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over an Iron-Based Nanocatalyst

An iron-based nanocatalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS) was prepared by the chemical reduction method in pure water.The FTS performance of the resulting catalyst was tested directly in a liquid polyethylene glycol(PEG) phase.Transmission electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,Mssbauer spectroscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that the reduced catalyst was mainly a mixture of amorphous Fe-B and α-Fe with particle size in the range of 30-65 nm,and B tended to transfer its electrons partly to Fe.During FTS reaction,the amorphous Fe-B first converted to α-Fe followed by carbonization or oxidation to form Fe3O4 and iron carbides.PEG could significantly inhibit nanoparticles from congregation,and the particle size decreased to 20-55 nm after reaction.Under the reaction conditions of 3.0 MPa,V(H2)/V(CO) = 2,and 200 oC,the catalyst exhibited excellent FTS activity and stability.After reaction,the product and catalyst can be easily separated.