Metal-rich tellurides PdTe1−xBix as functional materials: Catalytic behavior in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and bonding analysis

A series of solid solutions in the PdTe–PdBi system with general formula [Formula: see text]Bix ([Formula: see text], 0.5, 0.67) with the structure based on the NiAs type were synthesized by a high-temperature ampoule technique. These compounds, along with their parent binaries, PdTe and PdBi, were tested as promoters for the standard Co/Al2O3 catalytic system in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. It is shown that the addition of PdTe and [Formula: see text]Bix to the standard catalyst increases both yield and selectivity with respect to the liquid phase. At the same time, the addition of PdBi does not only improve catalytic activity, but also slightly inhibits it. Another positive effect of the PdTe and [Formula: see text]Bix addition is the shift in the conversion products toward the diesel and wax fractions. Chemical bonding analysis in orbital and direct space indicates that the addition of Bi to PdTe might increase the localized bonding.