Effects of the Cobalt-Based Component (Co/SiO2, Co/C, or Co/ZrO2) on the Properties and Performance of Zeolite-Containing Hybrid Catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

This study investigates the effect of a cobalt-based component (selected from Co/SiO2, Co/C, and Co/ZrO2) on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of zeolite-containing composite catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The choice of catalyst support governs activity, selectivity toward liquid hydrocarbons, and the group composition of target products. Catalysts supported on SiO2 and ZrO2 showed similar CO conversion (~86%) and space-time yields (STY) of C5+ hydrocarbons (130–134 kg m–3 h–1). In contrast, the carbon-supported sample exhibited slightly lower CO conversion (71.7%) but superior C5+ selectivity (73.1%). Product distribution strongly depends on the support type: the ZrO2-supported catalyst gave the highest content of branched hydrocarbons (iso/n = 1.77); the SiO2-supported sample maximized olefin yield, indicative of low hydrogenating activity; and the carbon-supported sample excelled in high-molecular-weight (C19+) hydrocarbons (9.0 wt %). These results demonstrate that the FT product distribution can be tailored by an appropriate choice of the cobalt-based component.