Iron-based catalysts encapsulated by nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon for selective synthesis of liquid fuels through the Fischer-Tropsch process

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) has the potential to be a powerful strategy for producing liquid fuels from syngas if highly selective catalysts can be developed. Herein, a series of iron nanoparticle catalysts encapsulated by nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon were prepared by a one-step pyrolysis of a ferric L-glutamic acid complex. The FeC-800 catalyst pyrolyzed at 800 °C showed excellent catalytic activity (239.4 μmol_CO g_Fe^–1 s^–1), high C₅–C₁₁ selectivity (49%), and good stability in FTS. The high dispersion of ferric species combined with a well-encapsulated structure can effectively inhibit the migration of iron nanoparticles during the reaction process, which is beneficial for high activity and good stability. The nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon shell can act as an electron donor to the iron particles, thus promoting CO activation and expediting the formation of Fe₅C₂, which is the key factor for obtaining high C₅–C₁₁ selectivity.