Influence of the addition of Pd and Cu to cobalt catalysts prepared by SMAI for F-T synthesis

The Co-Pd/SiO₂ and Co-Cu/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared via solvated metal atom impregnation (SMAI) method and investigated for the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. The catalysts contained 5wt.% Co and a weight ratio of Pd (or Cu) to Co of 1/30. XPS indicated that Co, Pd and Cu were in metallic state. The results of XPS and magnetic measurements showed that Co and Pd (Cu) were alloyed. The Co particles on the catalysts were very highly dispersed and they displayed superparamagnetic behavior. FT-IR indicated that the electrons shifted from Cu and Pd to Co. Catalytic tests showed that CO hydrogenation rates followed the order Pd-Co > Cu-Co > Co.