Enhancing cobalt dispersion in supported Fischer-Tropsch catalysts via controlled decomposition of cobalt precursors

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a part of Gas-to Liquids (GTL), Biomass-to-Liquids (BTL) and Coal to Liquids (CTL) technologies, which produce alternatives clean fuels from natural gas, biomass and coal. The catalytic performance of cobalt catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis strongly depends on the size of cobalt particles in nanoscale range (6-30 nm). Cobalt catalysts are usually prepared via incipient wetness impregnation using cobalt salts (cobalt precursors). Catalyst preparation involves several important steps. The paper shows that decomposition of cobalt precursors is often a crucial step in the catalyst design; slower rate of decomposition of cobalt precursors favors smaller size of cobalt particles, higher cobalt dispersion and enhances catalytic performance in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.