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The Optimally Performing Fischer–Tropsch Catalyst
Author(s) -
Filot Ivo A. W.,
van Santen Rutger A.,
Hensen Emiel J. M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201406521
Subject(s) - fischer–tropsch process , catalysis , dissociation (chemistry) , chemistry , interphase , methane , syngas , oxygen , activation energy , reactivity (psychology) , monomer , metal , photochemistry , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , selectivity , medicine , polymer , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , engineering , genetics
Microkinetics simulations are presented based on DFT‐determined elementary reaction steps of the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) reaction. The formation of long‐chain hydrocarbons occurs on stepped Ru surfaces with CH as the inserting monomer, whereas planar Ru only produces methane because of slow CO activation. By varying the metal–carbon and metal–oxygen interaction energy, three reactivity regimes are identified with rates being controlled by CO dissociation, chain‐growth termination, or water removal. Predicted surface coverages are dominated by CO, C, or O, respectively. Optimum FT performance occurs at the interphase of the regimes of limited CO dissociation and chain‐growth termination. Current FT catalysts are suboptimal, as they are limited by CO activation and/or O removal.