Preparation and Characterization of Fe2O3/ SBA-15 for Fischer-Tropsch Process

Abstract

In this study Fe2O3/SBA-15 catalyst was synthesized via direct synthesis method under acidic conditions using triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 as template, tetraethyl orthosilicate as a silica source and Fe (NO3)3∙9H2O as iron source. Template was removed using extraction and calcination. The obtained catalyst was characterized using XRD analysis, WDXRF spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption analysis and STEM–EDX measurements. Results of catalyst characterization showed that the synthesized Fe2O3/SBA-15 is mesoporous silica with 2D p6mm hexagonal mesostructure loaded with 15.6 wt.% Fe2O3. Average pore size was 6.95 nm, homogeneous immobilized Fe2O3 nanoparticles do not disrupt the porous hexagonal structure of the support.