Stability of cobalt-based Fischer–Tropsch catalyst supported on oxidized carbon nanotubes

The stability of 20[Formula: see text]wt.% Co/CNT catalyst was tested in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and the structural transformations both in the catalyst and support were analyzed. The catalyst showed high conversion and stable selectivity during three weeks of the test, which was attributed to the optimal and stable cobalt particle size of [Formula: see text]13–14[Formula: see text]nm promoted by the support pre-oxidation. XPS, Raman, and nitrogen adsorption data revealed that the carefully chosen catalyst annealing and reduction conditions ensured the preservation of the support structure.