Studies on KIT-6 Supported Cobalt Catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

KIT-6 molecular sieve was used as a support to prepare cobalt catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) using an incipient wetness impregnation method to produce cobalt loadings of 15 and 25 wt%. The catalysts were characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission election microscopy (STEM), extended X-ray absorption fine spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy. The catalytic properties for FTS were evaluated using a 1L CSTR reactor. XRD, pore size distribution, and STEM analysis indicate that the KIT-6 mesostructure remains stable during and after cobalt impregnation and tends to form smaller cobalt particles, probably located inside the mesopores. The mesoporous KIT-6 exhibited a slightly higher cobalt dispersion compared to amorphous SiO2 supported catalyst. With the higher Co loading (25 wt%) on KIT-6, partial structural collapse was observed after the FTS reaction. Compared to an amorphous SiO2 supported cobalt catalyst, KIT-6 supported cobalt catalyst displayed higher methane selectivity at a similar Co loading, likely due to diffusion effects.