Preparation of SBA-15 with penetrating pores and their performance in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Abstract

A novel SBA-15 (2.5N-SBA-15) with pores penetrating into the silica walls has been synthesized with amino-ended hyperbranched polyamide (AEHPA) and P123 as co-templates. This novel template method successfully imprints mesoporous cavities into the silica structure. The obtained composites are used as a Co (15 wt%) catalyst support for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). The catalytic activity and product selectivity are significantly influenced by the support structure. Compared with the conventional 15Co/SBA-15 catalyst, the 15Co/2.5N-SBA-15 catalyst with a penetrating pore structure shows improved reducibility of cobalt species, leading to better catalytic properties with respect to CO activity and C₅₊ selectivity during the FTS reaction.