Claeys, M.; Dry, M. E.; van Steen, E.; van Berge, P. J.; Booyens, S.; Crous, R.; van Helden, P.; Labuschagne, J.; Moodley, D. J.; Saib, A. M.

ACS Catalysis (2015), 5(2), 841-852 CODEN: ACCACS; ISSN: 2155-5435. English.

Sintering of supported cobalt nanoparticles is one of the main deactivation mechanisms in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. In this study, crystallite growth was studied with an alumina-supported catalyst in real time and as a function of process conditions using a novel in situ magnetometer. It could be shown that sintering with this catalyst occurred via a combination of high CO and high water partial pressures. Particle growth proceeds via cobalt subcarbonyl migration over the hydroxylated support surface.