Mechanistic insight into carbon-carbon bond formation on cobalt under simulated Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14613-5
• Publication Date: 2020-02-06T11:04:25Z
• Authors: C. J. Weststrate; Devyani Sharma; Daniel Garcia Rod...; Michael A. Gleeson; Hans O. A. Fredri...; J. W. Niemantsver...
• Keywords: Fischer–Tropsch process; Carbon fibers

Abstract Facile C-C bond formation is essential to the of long hydrocarbon chains in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Various chain growth mechanisms have been proposed previously, but spectroscopic identification surface intermediates involved scarce. We here show that high CO coverage typical synthesis affects reaction pathways C 2 H x adsorbates on a Co(0001) model catalyst and promote formation. In-situ resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows promotes transformation into ethylidyne form, which subsequently dimerizes 2-butyne. The observed sequence provides mechanistic explanation for CO-induced ethylene dimerization supported cobalt catalysts. For we propose close-packed terraces nanoparticle occurs via methylidyne (CH) insertion alkylidyne intermediates, latter being stabilized by under conditions.