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ε-Iron carbide as a low-temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst

Author

Listed:
  • Ke Xu

    (Fudan University)

  • Bo Sun

    (Fudan University)

  • Jun Lin

    (Key Laboratory of Nuclear Analysis Techniques, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wen Wen

    (Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yan Pei

    (Fudan University)

  • Shirun Yan

    (Fudan University)

  • Minghua Qiao

    (Fudan University)

  • Xiaoxin Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Catalytic Materials and Chemical Engineering, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing)

  • Baoning Zong

    (State Key Laboratory of Catalytic Materials and Chemical Engineering, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing)

Abstract

ε-Iron carbide has been predicted to be promising for low-temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (LTFTS) targeting liquid fuel production. However, directional carbidation of metallic iron to ε-iron carbide is challenging due to kinetic hindrance. Here we show how rapidly quenched skeletal iron featuring nanocrystalline dimensions, low coordination number and an expanded lattice may solve this problem. We find that the carbidation of rapidly quenched skeletal iron occurs readily in situ during LTFTS at 423–473 K, giving an ε-iron carbide-dominant catalyst that exhibits superior activity to literature iron and cobalt catalysts, and comparable to more expensive noble ruthenium catalyst, coupled with high selectivity to liquid fuels and robustness without the aid of electronic or structural promoters. This finding may permit the development of an advanced energy-efficient and clean fuel-oriented FTS process on the basis of a cost-effective iron catalyst.

Suggested Citation

  • Ke Xu & Bo Sun & Jun Lin & Wen Wen & Yan Pei & Shirun Yan & Minghua Qiao & Xiaoxin Zhang & Baoning Zong, 2014. "ε-Iron carbide as a low-temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6783
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6783
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