Soldering of Iron Catalysts for Direct Synthesis of Light Olefins from Syngas under Mild Reaction Conditions

High-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis represents a sustainable alternative for direct light olefin synthesis from syngas derived from fossil and renewable feedstocks. It is found that the promotion of iron catalysts with metals used for soldering (Bi and Pb) results in a remarkable increase in the light olefin production rate with a possibility to conduct Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at low reaction pressure. A combination of characterization techniques uncovered notable migration of the promoting elements during the reaction and decoration of iron carbide nanoparticles with the promoters. The promoters seem to facilitate CO dissociation by removing O atoms from iron carbide.