Graphene-Supported, Iron-Based Nanoparticles for Catalytic Production of Liquid Hydrocarbons from Synthesis Gas: The Role of the Graphene Support in Comparison with Carbon Nanotubes

作者：Sherif Moussa, Leela S. Panchakarla, Minh Q. Ho, M. Samy El‐Shall · 发表于：ACS Catalysis · 年份：2013 · DOI：10.1021/cs4010198 · 被引用次数：150 · 研究领域：Catalysts for Methane Reforming、Catalytic Processes in Materials Science、Graphene research and applications

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a potentially attractive technology for the production of clean liquid fuels from synthesis gas. The efficiency and selectivity of FTS can be enhanced by the design of new active catalyst systems with improved selectivity for long-chain hydrocarbons and low methane production. In this paper, we introduce a new class of FT catalysts supported on the high surface area graphene nanosheets and report on their high activity and selectivity for the production of long-chain hydrocarbons. The chemical reduction of graphene oxide in water in the presence of the metal salts under microwave irradiation allows the deposition of well-dispersed surface-oxidized metal nanoparticles on the defect sites of the graphene nanosheets. The Fe–K-nanoparticle catalyst supported on graphene exhibits high activity and selectivity toward C 8 and higher hydrocarbons with excellent stability and recyclability. In comparison with other carbon supports, such as carbon nanotubes, the graphene support shows a unique tendency for minor formation of the low-value and undesirable products methane and carbon dioxide, respectively. The water-gas shift activity is reduced on the graphene support as compared with CNTs, and as a result, the formation of CO 2 is significantly reduced. Evidence is presented for the formation of the active Fe 5 C 2 iron carbide phase during the FTS on the graphene-supported Fe catalysts. The high activity and selectivity of the catalysts supported on ...