LAUSR

Abstract A crucial contribution of Al 2 O 3 pillar for an enhanced structural stability of a highly ordered mesoporous Co 3 O 4 (Al/m-Co) for CO hydrogenation activity was verified in terms of newly formed stable phases with their interactions. At an optimal 5 wt%Al 2 O 3 on the Al/m-Co, the activity and stability of Fischer-Trospch synthesis (FTS) reaction were largely enhanced by preserving the highly ordered original mesoporous Co 3 O 4 structures due to the newly formed strong Al 2 O 3 -Co 3 O 4 interactions with the partial formation of the catalytically inactive spinel-type CoAl 2 O 4 phases in the matrices of the mesoporous Al/m-Co. The main roles of the Al 2 O 3 pillar on the Al/m-Co were a structural promoter to maintain the highly ordered mesoporous Co 3 O 4 structures by easily removing the heavy hydrocarbons formed during FTS reaction without significant coke depositions through those large mesopores. The homogeneously distributed Al 2 O 3 pillaring material less than monolayer on the Al/m-Co surfaces played a crucial role to preserve the original ordered mesoporous Co 3 O 4 structures through the partial formation of outer surface CoAl 2 O 4 phases with less blockages of active metallic cobalt sites by heavy coke precursors formed.