Comparing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on iron- and cobalt catalysts The dynamics of structure and function

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on iron- and cobalt catalysts is compared on the basis of elemental aspects, this leading to advanced understanding of the ruling principles, the first being "specific frustration". Comparing temporal changes of selectivity, rate, catalyst composition and -structure provides insight about self-organization of the FT-regime with both kinds of catalyst, the nature of their active sites and particular features, as constraints for individual reactions.