Effect of a Carbon Promoter on the Properties of a Co/MgAlO 4 Catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

The influence of carbon on the genesis of the active phase of cobalt in aluminum–magnesium spinel supported catalysts on their catalytic properties in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H 2 has been studied. Promotion with carbon was carried out by two independent methods: in the first one, carbon was deposited on a spinel support by thermolysis of glucose followed by the deposition of cobalt; in the second one, the catalyst was prepared by coimpregnation of the support with a solution of cobalt nitrate and glucose followed by thermolysis. The catalysts were characterized by simultaneous thermal analysis in combination with mass spectroscopy of evolved gases, in situ magnetic measurements, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and transmission electron microscopy. The modified catalysts showed a significantly higher CO conversion rate (turnover frequency) and selectivity for target liquid hydrocarbons compared to the unpromoted catalyst.