Capturing the Genesis of an Active Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst with Operando X-ray Nanospectroscopy

A state-of-the-art operando spectroscopic technique is applied to Co/TiO₂ catalysts, which account for nearly half of the world's transportation fuels produced by Fischer-Tropsch catalysis. This allows determination of, at a spatial resolution of approximately 50 nm, the interdependence of formed hydrocarbon species in the inorganic catalyst. Observed trends show intra- and interparticular heterogeneities previously believed not to occur in particles under 200 μm. These heterogeneities are strongly dependent on changes in H₂ /CO ratio, but also on changes thereby induced on the Co and Ti valence states. We have captured the genesis of an active FTS particle over its propagation to steady-state operation, in which microgradients lead to the gradual saturation of the Co/TiO₂ catalyst surface with long chain hydrocarbons (i.e., organic film formation).