Physical properties and Fischer-Tropsch activities of Co/Al2O3 catalysts prepared from the decomposition of Co4(CO)12

Abstract

Carbonyl-derived cobalt/alumina catalysts were prepared in an attempt to obtain supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts which are both highly dispersed and highly reduced. Catalysts prepared from the decomposition of tetracobalt dodecacarbonyl on partially dehydroxylated alumina were found to have twice the dispersion and twice the extent of reduction of conventionally prepared catalysts, resulting in catalysts with higher active surface area. Catalyst dispersion was optimized at a reduction temperature of 350°C. The carbonyl-derived catalysts have slightly higher specific activities than corresponding conventional catalysts, while their selectivity properties are very similar. The carbonyl-derived catalysts are stable under reaction conditions, losing only about 13% of their initial activities after 24 hours of reaction.