Precursor controlled synthesis of graphene oxide supported iron catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Issue 11 (17th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Yuxue; Luo, Dan; Zhang, Chenghua; Liu, Jingge; He, Yurong; Wen, Xiaodong; Yang, Yong; Li, Yongwang
• Is Part Of: Catalysis science & technology. Volume 8:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 2883
• Page End: 2893
• Publication Date: 2018-05-17
• Subjects: Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.395
• DOI: 10.1039/c8cy00617b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-4753

Abstract

Abstract : Iron precursors are used to tune the structure and FTS performance of graphene oxide supported iron catalysts. Abstract : In this study, graphene oxide supported iron catalysts have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method using three different iron precursors: ferrous acetate Fe(C2 H3 O2 )2, ferric oxalate Fe2 (C2 O4 )3 and ferric nitrate Fe(NO3 )3 . The Fe2 (C2 O4 )3 derived catalysts (Fe/G-C) present a uniform dispersion with smaller sizes of iron nanoparticles (NPs). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate the higher binding energy between ferric oxalate and graphene oxide (−1.53 eV) facilitates the formation of more seeds for nanoparticle growth, and therefore, smaller size and narrow size distribution of NPs are achieved. The Fe/G-C also exhibits easier reduction and carburization, resulting in high Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) activity and C5+ selectivity. Our thorough characterization studies enable us to conclude that the iron precursors significantly impact the structural properties of catalysts, which further affect their reduction/carburization abilities and FTS performances. This study affords us a rational design of high efficiency graphene oxide supported iron catalysts for FTS.