Supported Fe2C Catalysts Originated from Fe2N Phase and Active for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Abstract Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) targeting liquid fuel products is key technology to alleviate the excessive dependence on unsustainable crude oil. Fabrication of highly active phase has long been an attractive topic in the field of Fischer-Tropsch catalysis. However, as a promising active species, the efficient formation of Fe2C phase is inhibited by kinetic barrier via traditional approaches. In this context, we firstly synthesized phase-pure Fe2N nanoparticles on Al2O3, which has similar coordination structure with Fe2C. The in-situ XRD data in time series reveal that pre-existing of interstitial N atoms in Fe2N structure leads to the effective phase transformation to Fe2C at low temperatures (280 °C). The as-prepared catalysts demonstrated highly catalytic activity without any induction period, coupling with a high selectivity of 60wt.% for desired valuable products. In addition, the corresponding structural evolution uncover the determining effect of these electron-rich Fe sites in the Fe2X (N or C) structure on superior performance.