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Synthesis of Nano-catalysts by Induction Suspension Plasma Technology (SPS) for Fischer–Tropsch Reaction

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Abstract

Nanometric catalysts were synthesized through induction suspension plasma technology (SPS) for application in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Carbon-supported single metal catalysts (Co/C, Fe/C), bimetallic formulations (Co–Fe/C), and ternary (Co–Fe–Mo and Co–Fe–Ni) systems have been considered in this work. SPS has been selected because it simultaneously allows for: (1) atomizing and generating metallic nanoparticles; (2) creating particularly Fe carbides, which are important in Fe-based FTS reaction mechanism; (3) in situ production of the nanometric graphitic-carbon matrix; and (4) saving time in catalyst synthesis, limiting sample preparation steps and eliminating post synthesis treatment before use. Porosity measurements by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method indicate that the samples are essentially non-porous. The synthesized catalysts characterized by X-ray Diffraction analysis show the presence of both metallic and carbidic species. The graphitic-carbon matrix has substantial structural defects that make it partly amorphous. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy mapping shows uniform dispersion of the metal moieties in the carbon support. Analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy imaging displays metal nanoparticles with mean particle size within the 9–15 nm range enveloped in the carbon matrix.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Canadian National Centres of Excellence (NCE) BioFuelNet for financial support; Prof. Nadi Braidy in conjunction with the CCM (Centre de Caractérisation des Matériaux, Université de Sherbrooke) staff for facilitating the characterization: Mrs. Irène Kelsey Lévesque and Mr. Carl St.-Louis for BET surface area analysis, Mr. Charles Bertrand for Microscopy (SEM & TEM), and Mr. Stéphane Gutierrez for XRD analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada

    James Aluha, Kossi Bere, Nicolas Abatzoglou & François Gitzhofer

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  1. James Aluha
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  2. Kossi Bere
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  3. Nicolas Abatzoglou
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  4. François Gitzhofer
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Correspondence to François Gitzhofer.

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Aluha, J., Bere, K., Abatzoglou, N. et al. Synthesis of Nano-catalysts by Induction Suspension Plasma Technology (SPS) for Fischer–Tropsch Reaction. Plasma Chem Plasma Process 36, 1325–1348 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-016-9734-1

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