Effects of preparation methods on Na-modified SiO2-supported Fe catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis to light olefins
摘要
A series of Na-modified SiO2-supported Fe catalysts synthesized via different preparation methods including physical mixing, impregnation and precipitation, and applied into Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Amongst, the Na-Fe/SiO2-p prepared by precipitation achieved the highest CO conversion (87.9%) and light olefin selectivity (25.7%), alongside the lowest CH4 selectivity (10.4%) under the optimal conditions. The various characterizations confirmed that the Na promoter facilitated the formation of active iron carbides, enhancing CO adsorption and C-C coupling. Furthermore, the preparation method was found to govern the proximity between Fe and SiO2 species. The closer proximity between Fe species and SiO2 could inhibit the reduction of Fe oxides and promote the formation of Fe5C2, thus enhancing the dissociation and adsorption of CO. It demonstrated that the Na-Fe/SiO2-p exhibited the closest proximity, consequently, it had the highest content of Fe5C2 active species (94.9%) and optimal performance in the FTS reaction. This study outlines a straightforward strategy for designing highly efficient iron-based FTS catalysts and provides valuable insights for catalyst optimization.