Chiral Nanostructured Cobalt Nanoparticles Confined in Zeolite for Syngas Conversion to Liquid Fuels at Low Temperature.

Abstract

Low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is an energy-efficient process that converts nonpetroleum carbon sources into liquid hydrocarbon fuels. However, achieving C─C coupling under mild conditions is a significant challenge, primary due to the high energy barriers associated with C─O bond cleavage via conventional carbide or CO insertion mechanisms. In this study, we propose an alternative strategy for C─C coupling by chirality-induced spin polarization in chiral nanostructured Co nanoparticles (CNCN) under mild temperature conditions. The *OCCO intermediate is hydrogenated to form C2+ alcohols at lower temperatures. Subsequently, these alcohols are converted into hydrocarbons through the Brönsted acid sites of H-type mesoporous MFI zeolite (HMMZ) support. The CNCN-confined HMMZ catalyst exhibits significantly enhanced Co metal time yield of 96.3 molCO kgCo -1 h-1 and C5+ hydrocarbons selectivity of 85.6% at 443 K. This work demonstrates an effective strategy for the activation C1 compounds and promotion of critical intermediate, paving the way for the production of multicarbon products.