The application of inelastic neutron scattering to explore the significance of a magnetic transition in an iron based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst that is active for the hydrogenation of CO

Journal Article · Sat Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935054· OSTI ID:22493200

Warringham, Robbie; McFarlane, Andrew R.; Lennon, David ^[1]; MacLaren, Donald A. ^[2]; Webb, Paul B.; Tooze, Robert P. ^[3]; Taylor, Jon; Ewings, Russell A.; Parker, Stewart F. ^[4]

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1. School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ (United Kingdom)
2. School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, The Kelvin Building, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ (United Kingdom)
3. Sasol Technology UK Ltd., Purdie Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST (United Kingdom)
4. ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX (United Kingdom)

An iron based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst is evaluated using CO hydrogenation at ambient pressure as a test reaction and is characterised by a combination of inelastic neutron scattering (INS), powder X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed oxidation, Raman scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The INS spectrum of the as-prepared bulk iron oxide pre-catalyst (hematite, α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}) is distinguished by a relatively intense band at 810 cm{sup −1}, which has previously been tentatively assigned as a magnon (spinon) feature. An analysis of the neutron scattering intensity of this band as a function of momentum transfer unambiguously confirms this assignment. Post-reaction, the spinon feature disappears and the INS spectrum is characterised by the presence of a hydrocarbonaceous overlayer. A role for the application of INS in magnetic characterisation of iron based FTS catalysts is briefly considered.

• OSTI ID: 22493200
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 143, Issue 17; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALLOCATIONS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
FERRITES
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
HEMATITE
HYDROGENATION
INELASTIC SCATTERING
IRON
IRON OXIDES
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
NEUTRON REACTIONS
OXIDATION
POWDERS
RAMAN EFFECT
SPECTRA
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION