CATALYST COMPRISING IRON AND CARBON NANOTUBES

Improved catalyst comprising iron and carbon nanotubes The invention relates to a process for making a catalyst comprising carbon nanotubes and iron- based particles, the process comprising the steps of: a)preparing carbon nanotubes comprising iron-based particles by chemical vapour deposition of a vapour of a carbon- containing substance in the presence of an iron-containing substance; b) subjecting the carbon nanotubes comprising iron-based particles to oxidising conditions to selectively etch away graphite layers covering the iron-based particles, thereby exposing the iron-based particles at the surface of the carbon nanotubes and at least partially oxidising the iron-based particles; and c) subjecting the carbon nanotubes comprising iron-based particles to reducing conditions in order to at least partially reduce the iron-based particles. The catalyst may be used in the manufacture of hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, or for carbon capture and utilization.