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In-situ probing of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction on Co single crystal surfaces up to 1 bar

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Lömker

    (Stockholm University
    Stockholm University
    Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY)

  • David Degerman

    (Stockholm University)

  • Christopher M. Goodwin

    (Stockholm University
    ALBA Synchrotron Light Facility)

  • Mikhail Shipilin

    (Stockholm University)

  • Peter Amann

    (Stockholm University
    Peter-Grünberg-Str. 8)

  • Gabriel L. S. Rodrigues

    (Stockholm University)

  • Fernando Garcia-Martinez

    (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY)

  • Raffael Rameshan

    (Montanuniversität Leoben)

  • Jörgen Gladh

    (Stockholm University
    Menlo Park)

  • Hsin-Yi Wang

    (Stockholm University)

  • Markus Soldemo

    (Stockholm University)

  • Alexander Holm

    (Stockholm University
    Menlo Park
    Linköping University)

  • Steffen Tober

    (22607
    University of Hamburg)

  • Jan-Christian Schober

    (22607)

  • Leon Jacobse

    (22607
    Faradayweg 4-6)

  • Vedran Vonk

    (22607)

  • Robert Gleißner

    (22607)

  • Heshmat Noei

    (22607)

  • Zoltan Hegedues

    (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY)

  • Andreas Stierle

    (22607
    University of Hamburg)

  • Christoph Schlueter

    (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY)

  • Anders Nilsson

    (Stockholm University
    Stockholm University)

Abstract

The surface chemistry of the Fischer-Tropsch catalytic reaction over Co has still several unknows. Here, we report an in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of Co $$\left(0001\right)$$ 0001 and Co( $$10\bar{1}4$$ 10 1 ¯ 4 ), and in-situ high energy surface X-ray diffraction of Co $$\left(0001\right),$$ 0001 , during the Fischer-Tropsch reaction at 0.15 bar - 1 bar and 406 K - 548 K in a H2/CO gas mixture. We find that these Co surfaces remain metallic under all conditions and that the coverage of chemisorbed species ranges from 0.4–1.7 monolayers depending on pressure and temperature. The adsorbates include CO on-top, C/-CxHy and various longer hydrocarbon molecules, indicating a rate-limiting direct CO dissociation pathway and that only hydrocarbon species participate in the chain growth. The accumulation of hydrocarbon species points to the termination step being rate-limiting also. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the intermediate surface species are highly dynamic, appearing and disappearing with time delays after rapid changes in the reactants’ composition.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Lömker & David Degerman & Christopher M. Goodwin & Mikhail Shipilin & Peter Amann & Gabriel L. S. Rodrigues & Fernando Garcia-Martinez & Raffael Rameshan & Jörgen Gladh & Hsin-Yi Wang & Markus, 2025. "In-situ probing of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction on Co single crystal surfaces up to 1 bar," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56082-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56082-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. C. J. (Kees-Jan) Weststrate & Devyani Sharma & Daniel Garcia Rodriguez & Michael A. Gleeson & Hans O. A. Fredriksson & J. W. (Hans) Niemantsverdriet, 2020. "Mechanistic insight into carbon-carbon bond formation on cobalt under simulated Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Liangshu Zhong & Fei Yu & Yunlei An & Yonghui Zhao & Yuhan Sun & Zhengjia Li & Tiejun Lin & Yanjun Lin & Xingzhen Qi & Yuanyuan Dai & Lin Gu & Jinsong Hu & Shifeng Jin & Qun Shen & Hui Wang, 2016. "Cobalt carbide nanoprisms for direct production of lower olefins from syngas," Nature, Nature, vol. 538(7623), pages 84-87, October.
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