The role of Co-ZrO2 interfacial sites in promoting catalytic performance of Co/SiC catalyst for Fischer−Tropsch synthesis

Whether Co-ZrO 2 interfacial sites have a beneficial effect on Co-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is still controversial. In this paper, different quantities of Co-ZrO 2 interfacial sites were fabricated by changing the impregnation sequence of Zr added to Co/SiC catalysts. The effect of the Co-ZrO 2 interfacial sites was investigated by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), hydrogen chemisorption (H 2 -TPD), temperature-programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR) and TEM-EDS- mapping analyses. It was found that when zirconium was on the surface of cobalt, more Co-ZrO 2 interfacial sites were formed, and a higher selectivity of long-chain hydrocarbons was observed. In addition, the formation of Co-ZrO 2 interfacial sites significantly increased the conversion frequency of CO. This work is of great significance for understanding the role of Co-ZrO 2 interfacial sites and guiding the design of related catalysts in Co-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.