Preparation and Catalysis of Carbon-Supported Iron Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

• Published in: ChemCatChem 2012-10, Vol.4 (10), p.1498-1511
• Main Authors: Sun, Bo, Xu, Ke, Nguyen, Luan, Qiao, Minghua, Tao, Franklin (Feng)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; carbon materials; Catalysis; Fischer-Tropsch; heterogeneous catalysis; iron; Iron catalysts; water-gas shift
• ISSN: 1867-3880; 1867-3899
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201200241

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is essential for the transformation of natural gas, coal, and biomass to clean transportation fuels and value‐added chemicals. Traditionally, iron catalysts for FTS are predominantly fused iron catalysts and precipitated iron catalysts using silica as the support. Owing to an intense surge in interest in carbon materials during recent years, along with the unique properties of these materials, such as high surface area, high porosity, and ample structures, carbon‐supported iron‐based FTS catalysts have attracted increasing attention. In this detailed review of the progress of the Fe/C catalysts for FTS in the last three decades, particular emphasis is put on their preparation, characterization, and catalytic performance relevant to the characteristics of carbon materials. This review is intended to be a valuable resource to researchers interested in this exciting field of catalysis, as well as the foundation for those investigating applications of novel carbon materials. A brief discussion is also devoted to the challenges and opportunities regarding the future development of Fe/C FTS catalysts. Carbon‐supported Fe catalysts have attracted increasing interest in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis because of the unique properties of carbon materials, such as high surface area, high porosity, and ample electronic and topological structures. This Review focuses on the progress made in the synthesis and applications of these catalysts.