High CO2 and CO conversion to hydrocarbons using bridged Fe nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes

Abstract

An aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition method has been used to generate a carbon nanotube (CNT) based iron catalyst for the conversion of CO and CO₂ to longer chain hydrocarbons. The same formed iron nanoparticles (NPs) used to catalyse the growth of the CNTs were activated in-line to act as catalysts for the CO and CO₂ reduction. This methodology negates the multiple steps associated with the purification and subsequent tethering of metal catalyst nanoparticles to CNT supports common in the literature. Results show superior CO and CO₂ conversion and selectivity to higher-order hydrocarbons when compared with a traditional system where iron NPs have been deposited onto CNTs from a solution.