Preparation and Characterization of Well-defmed Co/Si02 Spherical Catalyst for Fischer Tropsch Synthesis (FTS)

This research project, which falls under the scope of catalysis, is conducted with the
aim to study the preparation methods of cobalt nanocatalysts on SiOz support for the
Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Variables such as the metal loading, ageing time
and calcinations temperatures were studied during the catalysts preparation.
Ammonia deposition and impregnation methods were used to synthesize the
Co/Si02 catalyst. Co/Si02 catalyst were characterized using Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and BET Surface Area Analyzer. The white
silica spheres, which were prepared using Stober method gave a result of 198m2/g
for BET surface area. The cobalt metal was attached to silica spheres which have
BET surface area of 6lm2/g at 2, 3 and 5wt% loadings. EDX analysis showed the
presence of Si, 0 and Co elements in the catalyst. A rough statistical analysis on the
TEM images from 5wt% impregnated catalyst showed cobalt particles with diameter
ranging from 11 nm to 17 nm deposited on silica spheres. The average diameter of
Si02 sphere is 130nm. The inconsistencies of metal attachments on the silica for
impregnation method seem to be due to inefficient stirring during preparation. XRD
analysis indicates the amorphous nature of the catalyst.