title: The optimally performing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.
abstract: Microkinetics simulations are presented based on DFT-determined elementary reaction steps of the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction. The formation of long-chain hydrocarbons occurs on stepped Ru surfaces with CH as the inserting monomer, whereas planar Ru only produces methane because of slow CO activation. By varying the metal-carbon and metal-oxygen interaction energy, three reactivity regimes are identified with rates being controlled by CO dissociation, chain-growth termination, or water removal. Predicted surface coverages are dominated by CO, C, or O, respectively. Optimum FT performance occurs at the interphase of the regimes of limited CO dissociation and chain-growth termination. Current FT catalysts are suboptimal, as they are limited by CO activation and/or O removal.
authors.affiliation: Schuit Institute of Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven (The Netherlands); Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Ivo A W
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Filot
authors.forename: Rutger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: van Santen
authors.forename: Emiel J M
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hensen
keywords: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; kinetics; periodic trends; reaction mechanisms; ruthenium