Highly active cobalt-on-silica catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis obtained via a novel calcination procedure

Using ordered mesoporous SBA-15 as model support and pore volume impregnation of aqueous cobalt nitrate we identified a novel calcination procedure in a diluted NO atmosphere, which enables the preparation of Co3O4/SiO2 catalysts that combine highly loadings (15 -18 wt% cobalt) with high dispersions (4-5 nm Co3O4 particles). Experiments with silica gel demonstrated that this method is applicable to conventional supports too. After reduction the Co/SiO2 catalyst treated via this calcination method showed to have a superior activity in FT synthesis compared to the catalyst treated via air calcination.