The role of manganese in CoMnOx catalysts for selective long-chain hydrocarbon production via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54578-3
• Publication Date: 2024-11-27T16:00:03Z
• Authors: Hao Chen; Zan Lian; Xiao Zhao; Jiawei Wan; Priscilla F. Pieters; Judit Oliver-Mese...; Ji Yang; Elzbieta Pach; Sophie Carenco; Laureline Treps; Nikos Liakakos; Yu Shan; Virginia Altoe; Ed Wong; Zengqing Zhuo; Feipeng Yang; Ji Su; Jinghua Guo; Monika Blum; Saul H. Lapidus; Adrian Hunt; Iradwikanari Waluyo; Hirohito Ogasawara; Haimei Zheng; Peidong Yang; Alexis T. Bell; Núria López; Miquel Salmeron
• Keywords: Fischer–Tropsch process; Chain termination

Abstract Cobalt is an efficient catalyst for Fischer−Tropsch synthesis (FTS) of hydrocarbons from syngas (CO + H 2 ) with enhanced selectivity long-chain when promoted by Manganese. However, the molecular scale origin enhancement remains unclear. Here we present experimental and theoretical study using model catalysts consisting crystalline CoMnO x nanoparticles thin films, where Co Mn are mixed at sub-nm scale. Employing TEM in-situ X-ray spectroscopies (XRD, APXPS, XAS), determine catalyst’s atomic structure, chemical state, reactive species, their evolution under FTS conditions. We show concentration CH , key intermediates, increases rapidly on while no increase occurs without Mn. DFT simulations reveal that basic O sites in bind hydrogen atoms resulting dissociation 0 sites, making them less available to react thus hindering chain termination reactions, which promotes formation hydrocarbons.