Self-Regeneration of Cobalt and Nickel Catalysts Promoted with Bismuth for Non-deactivating Performance in Carbon Monoxide Hydrogenation

Carbon monoxide hydrogenation over Co and Ni catalysts has provided important opportunities to store energy and to manufacture alternative renewable transportation fuels. Catalyst deactivation is one of the most serious issues restricting application of this reaction. Hereby, we propose a simple and efficient way to enhance the stability of supported cobalt and nickel catalysts via their promotion with bismuth. In the promoted catalysts, bismuth is localized at the interface between metal nanoparticles and the support covering the Co and Ni surface. Bismuth oxidation–reduction cycling during carbon monoxide hydrogenation results in the removal of deposited carbon and catalyst self-regeneration. Formation of the bismuth layer at the metal nanoparticles’ surface protects them against sintering.