Role of ZrO₂ in enhancing FeCoK catalysts for syngas conversion to light olefins

The primary aim of this study is to understand the role of ZrO2 in iron-cobalt-potassium (FeCoK) based catalysts for converting syngas to light olefins. Our findings reveal that ZrO2 support notably enhances the dispersion of Fe, Co, and K species, thus improving the reducibility of Fe2O3, Co3O4, and KNO3. This leads to increased medium and strong hydrogen adsorption and elevated medium basicity. At lower temperatures (300degree celsius and 320 degree celsius), the space-time yield (STY) of hydrocarbons over FeCoK/ZrO2 is less than FeCoK due to the strong adsorption of intermediates by the increased basicity. However, at higher temperatures (360 degrees C and 380 degree celsius), this trend reverses, indicating the high-temperature mitigates strong adsorption effects. The FeCoK/ZrO2 catalyst achieved the best STY of C2C4 olefins of 13.2 mmol g(cat)(-1) h(-1) at 380 degree celsius.