Visible light contributions transform CO₂ into higher hydrocarbons during Fischer Tropsch synthesis over K-Fe catalysts
Date
2025
Authors
Zhu, Y.F.
Yuwono, J.A.
Wilson, M.
Xie, B.
Kumar, P.
Amal, R.
Scott, J.
Lovell, E.C.
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Journal article
Citation
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2025; 379:125736-1-125736-11
Statement of Responsibility
Yi Fen Zhu, Jodie A. Yuwono, Meriadoc Wilson, Bingqiao Xie, Priyank Kumar, Rose Amal, Jason Scott, Emma C. Lovell
Conference Name
Abstract
Current C₂₊ hydrocarbon production from fossil fuel feedstocks will in-time be replaced by alternate synthesis methods involving cleaner energy strategies. One approach is to incorporate direct sunlight during catalytic C₂₊ synthesis via the modified Fisher Tropsch synthesis (CO₂-FTS) reaction. Light-driven studies targeting C₂₊ products from CO₂ under high-pressure conditions are scarce. Herein, we demonstrate that direct visible light illumination can selectively boost hydrocarbon synthesis by a K-promoted Fe catalyst during the high pressure (23 bar), thermal catalytic CO₂-FTS reaction. Visible light illumination imparts carrier-induced benefits to amplify CO activation and hydrocarbon synthesis. Visible light illumination modifies the surface charge of Fe. This promotes CO adsorption and C-O bond lengthening over the K-Fe catalysts, and dissociation to *C. The lightenhanced *C production boosted Fe carbide formation which facilitates FTS. Concurrently, *C hydrogenation leads to hydrocarbon synthesis. The findings offer new insight into the cascading impact of light within dynamic catalytic systems arising from the interdependence between catalyst activation and performance.
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© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).