Chiral Nanostructured Cobalt Nanoparticles Confined in Zeolite for Syngas Conversion to Liquid Fuels at Low Temperature

Abstract

ABSTRACT Low‐temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is an energy‐efficient process that converts nonpetroleum carbon sources into liquid hydrocarbon fuels. However, achieving C─C coupling under mild conditions is a significant challenge, primary due to the high energy barriers associated with C─O bond cleavage via conventional carbide or CO insertion mechanisms. In this study, we propose an alternative strategy for C─C coupling by chirality‐induced spin polarization in chiral nanostructured Co nanoparticles (CNCN) under mild temperature conditions. The *OCCO intermediate is hydrogenated to form C 2+ alcohols at lower temperatures. Subsequently, these alcohols are converted into hydrocarbons through the Brönsted acid sites of H‐type mesoporous MFI zeolite (HMMZ) support. The CNCN‐confined HMMZ catalyst exhibits significantly enhanced Co metal time yield of 96.3 mol CO kg Co −1 h −1 and C 5+ hydrocarbons selectivity of 85.6% at 443 K. This work demonstrates an effective strategy for the activation C 1 compounds and promotion of critical intermediate, paving the way for the production of multicarbon products.