An Inelastic Neutron Scattering Investigation of the Temporal Behaviour of the Hydrocarbonaceous Overlayer of a Prototype Fischer-Tropsch to Olefins Catalyst

Abstract A dual sodium and sulfur promoted haematite, representative of a candidate Fischer-Tropsch to olefins (FTO) catalyst, is prepared contrasted with the performance an unpromoted hematite sample in ambient pressure CO hydrogenation reaction at 623 K as function time-on-stream (0–24 h). In-situ post-reaction temperature-programmed oxidation measurements show carbon evolutionary phase catalyst conditioning process be retarded for FTO catalyst. Ex-situ inelastic neutron scattering promoters perturb formation previously described hydrocarbonaceous overlayer. Specifically, whilst sp 3 hybridised C–H modes overlayer are almost unaffected by additives, overlayer’s 2 noticeably impeded. The results discussed terms Na/S disturbing ordered that thought constrain supply adsorbed hydrogen atoms, which favours unsaturated hydrocarbons associated process.