Fischer-Tropsch synthesis performance of cobalt-based catalysts supported on bimodal porous SiO₂ with high specific surface area

The structure of the supports can significantly affect the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst activity and selectivity. The porous structure can improve the mass transfer of reactants, enhance the CO conversion activity and C₅₊ product selectivity; the high specific surface area is beneficial to disperse the loaded metal, improve the catalyst metal utilization efficiency and catalyst stability. However, it is relatively difficult for supports to obtain high specific surface area and macropore structure characteristics simultaneously. A mesoporous (2.9 nm) -macroporous (63.8 nm) bi-porous silica (BP-SiO₂) support with a high specific surface area of 1103.2 m²/g was synthesized by the structure-directed hydrolysis method, and its catalytic performance for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was investigated. The results showed that compared to the Co/SBA-15 catalyst with equivalent mesopore diameter, the catalyst Co/BP-SiO₂ showed CO conversion rate nearly increased by 33.3%, CH₄ selectivity reduced by 30.1%, improved C₅₊ selectivity and stability.