Browsing by Author "Van Helden, Pieter"

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    Initial steps of the Fischer-Tropsch sysnthesis on Fe(100) : the role of hydrogen
    (2009) Van Helden, Pieter; Van Steen, Eric
    In this thesis the role of hydrogen in the initial steps of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction on the model Fe(100) surface is explored. The Fischer-Tropsch reaction is an industrially applied catalytic process in which synthesis gas (H2 and CO produced from coal or natural gas) is converted to a wide range of long chain hydrocarbons. Although various microscopic mechanisms have been proposed, the fundamental role of hydrogen in the initialisation steps of these reaction mechanisms is still uncertain. This study aims to address a number of key questions with regard to the role of hydrogen in the initiation of this reaction. The addressed topics include various aspects regarding the adsorption of both H2 and CO gases, as well as considerations with regard to their respective dissociation reactions.