In-depth characterisation of metal-support compounds in spent Co/SiO2 Fischer-Tropsch model catalysts

Wolf, M., Gibson, E. K. , Olivier, E. J., Neethling, J. H., Catlow, C. R. A., Fischer, N. and Claeys, M. (2020) In-depth characterisation of metal-support compounds in spent Co/SiO2 Fischer-Tropsch model catalysts. Catalysis Today, 342, pp. 71-78. (doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2019.01.065)

Abstract

Only little is known about the formation and morphology of metal-support compounds (MSCs) in heterogeneous catalysis. This fact can be mostly ascribed to the challenges in directly identifying these phases. In the present study, a series of Co/SiO2 model catalysts with different crystallite sizes was thoroughly characterised with focus on the identification of cobalt silicate, which is the expected metal-support compound for this particular catalyst system. The catalysts were exposed to simulated high conversion Fischer-Tropsch environment, i.e. water-rich conditions in the presence of hydrogen. The transformation of significant amounts of metallic cobalt to a hard-to-reduce phase has been observed. This particular MSC, Co2SiO4, was herein identified as needle- or platelet-type cobalt silicate structures by means of X-ray spectroscopy (XAS) and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) in combination with elemental mapping. The metal-support compounds formed on top of fully SiO2-encapsulated nanoparticles, which are hypothesised to represent a prerequisite for the formation of cobalt silicate needles. Both, the encapsulation of cobalt nanoparticles by SiO2 via creeping, as well as the formation of these structures, were seemingly induced by high concentrations of water.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Financial support from the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (c*change), the UK Catalysis Hub, the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University College London (UCL), and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is gratefully acknowledged.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gibson, Dr Emma
• Authors: Wolf, M., Gibson, E. K., Olivier, E. J., Neethling, J. H., Catlow, C. R. A., Fischer, N., and Claeys, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Catalysis Today
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0920-5861
• ISSN (Online): 1873-4308
• Published Online: 30 January 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier
• First Published: First publiished in Catalysis Today 342:71-78
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher