Nickel Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Hollow Carbon Spheres: A Promising Fischer–Tropsch Catalyst

This study explores the synthesis and potential application of nickel (Ni) nanoparticles encapsulated within mesoporous hollow carbon spheres (Ni@MHCS) as a promising catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The encapsulation strategy aims to mitigate common issues in catalysis, such as nanoparticle sintering and agglomeration, thereby enhancing catalyst stability and performance under demanding reaction conditions typical for hydrocarbon synthesis. The Ni@MHCS materials were synthesized, and their structural and compositional integrity was confirmed using various characterization techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. TEM confirmed the successful encapsulation of Ni nanoparticles within the hollow carbon structures. PXRD affirmed the presence of crystalline Ni, while TGA provided insights into thermal stability and composition. BET analysis characterized the surface area and porosity, crucial for catalytic accessibility, and spectroscopic methods (Raman, FTIR) confirmed the carbonaceous nature of the spheres and successful template removal. The catalyst activity and selectivity were evaluated using the Fischer–Tropsch reaction. The findings highlight the potential of Ni@MHCS as a suitable catalyst system for converting syngas or other suitable feedstocks into various hydrocarbons, offering a novel approach to sustainable energy solutions.