Cobalt Nanoparticle-Decorated LDH/ZIF-Derived Porous Nanoplatelets for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

It is a significant challenge to prepare highly active and high-cobalt (Co) loading Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts for syngas conversion. Herein, a metal-organic framework named ZIF-67 was grown in situ on a CoAl layered-double-hydroxide (LDH) to obtain hierarchical LDH/ZIF-67 structures. Highly dispersed cobalt (Co)-embedded porous nanoplatelet (CoPNP) catalysts suitable for FTS were prepared by subsequent pyrolysis. High Co loading (over 50 wt % Co) was realized in CoPNP with suitable particle sizes and active Co dispersion. Remarkably, CoPNP showed a hierarchical architecture with a high specific surface area, and the porous channels could enhance syngas diffusion and hydrocarbon production, boosting the CO conversion and C5+ selectivity. Consequently, CoPNP revealed extraordinarily high activity in FTS with maximum 71.6% CO conversion and 70.2% C5+ long-chain hydrocarbon selectivity. The work reveals a methodology for the design and preparation of FTS catalysts with boosted performance and affords a promising pathway to design other FTS catalysts.