Iron uniform-size nanoparticles dispersed on MCM-41 used as hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst

We have synthesized mesoporous MCM-41 and have used it as a support for iron particles to be employed as a catalyst in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The solids were characterized by Mossbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET, TGA, CO chemisorption and volumetric oxidation. Although the catalyst showed a high CO conversion when it was used in the hydrocarbon synthesis from CO and H-2 (14.3% at 1 h of reaction time) mainly methane was formed. The high methane production is likely related to the very small size of the metal particles obtained. We suggest some ways to improve the selectivity.