A Quasi Elastic Neutron Scattering study of alkylidyne intermediates on model Raney Cobalt Fischer-Tropsch Catalysts

The production of fuels from hydrogen and carbon monoxide, using the Fischer-Tropsch process, allows us to move away from an oil based economy. The chemical reactions in this process happen on a cobalt surface and involve the breaking of carbon monoxide bonds, followed by the connection of carbon-hydrogen "building blocks" to make longer chain fuel molecules. The nature, concentration and mobility of these building block intermediates in the Fischer-Tropsch process plays an important role in its efficiency. Our objective is to use Quasi elastic neutron scattering to measure the motion of hydrogen in these surface building blocks. The distinctly different motions of hydrogen will allow us to identify the chemical nature of possible building block species under a range of reaction conditions. Understanding these species allows us to improve the efficiency of the Fischer-Tropsch process.