Visualizing Phase Evolution of Co 2 C for Efficient Fischer-Tropsch to Olefins.

Cobalt carbide (Co 2 C) possesses high catalytic efficiency Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), while the products selectivity appears sensitive to crystallography geometry. Since the Anderson-Schulz-Flory (ASF) distribution in FTS is broken through fabricating facetted Co 2 C nanocrystals, yet the underlying mechanism of Co 2 C crystallization remains unclarified suffering from sophisticated catalyst composition involving promoter agents. Herein, the synthesis of high-purity single-crystal nanoprisms (Co 2 C-p) for highly efficient FTS is reported to lower olefins. Through comprehensive microstructure analysis, e.g., high-resolution TEM, in situ TEM and electron diffraction, as well as finite element simulation of gas flow field, for the first time the full roadmap of forming catalytic active cobalt carbides is disclosed, starting from reduction of Co 3 O 4 precursor to CoO intermediate, then carburization into Co 2 C-s and subsequent ripening growth into Co 2 C-p. This gas-induced engineering of crystal phase provides a new synthesis strategy, with many new possibilities for precise design of metal-based catalyst for diverse catalytic applications.