Mechanism for enhancing dispersion of Co3O4 nanoparticles in Co/SiO2 Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst by adding glycol to impregnating solution: a quick-XAFS study.

In situ Co K-edge quick-EXAFS (QEXAFS) coupled with temperature-programmed oxidation as well as ex situ XAFS was applied to investigating the mechanism for enhancing the dispersion of Co(3)O(4) nanoparticles in a calcined Co/SiO(2) Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst prepared by adding triethylene glycol (TEG) to a Co(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O impregnating solution. Ex situ Co K-edge XAFS indicated that, regardless of whether the catalysts were prepared with or without using TEG, the hexaaqua Co (II) complex was formed in impregnated samples which then underwent the dehydration process to some extent during the subsequent drying step at 393 K.