Preparation and Characterization of Well-defined Fe/Si02 Spherical Catalysts for Fischer Tropsch Synthesis (FTS)

The aim of this project is to study the preparation methods of iron nanocatalysts on Si02
support for the Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The first phase is to prepare and
characterize the silica spheres. In the second phase, iron nanocatalysts were synthesized
and deposited on the silica support. Iron particles were synthesized using the ammonia
deposition method and impregnation method. The iron metal was attached to silica
spheres which have BET surface area of 61m2/g at 2, 3 and 5wt% loadings. Variables
such as the metal loading, ageing time and calcinations temperatures were studied
during the catalysts preparation. There are two methodologies that involved in this
project which are Ammonia Deposition Method and Impregnation Method. Different
loadings will result a different color of the sample and different results for
characterization. There are several ways of characterization that will involved in this
project such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Xray Diffraction (XRD),
Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Energy Dispersive Xray (EDX) . EDX
analysis showed the presence of Si, O and Fe elements in the catalyst. The TEM images
from 5wt% impregnated catalyst showed iron particles with diameter ranging from 19
nm to 34 nm deposited on silica spheres. The average diameter of Si02 sphere is 168nm.
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 ofthe catalyst.