Preparation of high activity cobalt catalysts, the catalysts and their use

摘要

A method is provided for preparing a supported cobalt-containing catalyst having substantially homogeneously dispersed, small cobalt crystallites. The method comprises depositing cobalt nitrate on a support and then subjecting the support to a two-step decomposition protocol. In the first step, the support is heated in an oxygen-containing, substantially water-free atmosphere to about 160° C. to form an intermediate decomposition product. This intermediate product is then or hydrolyzed and reduced, or hydrolyzed, calcined and reduced.