Elucidating deactivation of titania-supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts under simulated high conversion conditions

The study of titania-supported cobalt nanoparticles is relevant for industrial Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Herein, we report about various deactivation pathways supported on P25 titania (cobalt loading 2–8 wt%) under simulated high conversion conditions using in situ Mössbauer spectroscopy. A fraction metallic was oxidized humid FTS conditions. absolute amount ∼ 1.2 wt% independent the loading, indicating that specific cobalt-titanol interactions are involved oxidation process. formation cobalt-titanate-like compounds only observed very water-to-hydrogen ratios absence carbon monoxide. Steam considerably enhances sintering As such, not caused by but also enhancing active phase.