Fe/SiO2 Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and acidic silica sol (AcSS) respectively as silica sources were prepared by co-precipitation method. The catalysts were studied through N-2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer effect spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction and desorption. The FTS performances of catalysts were evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor at 280 degrees C, 1.5 MPa, 2000 h(-1), and H-2/CO molar ratio of 2. The characterization results indicated that the TEOS derived catalyst displayed a more uniform pore size distribution, easier reduction and higher capability for CO and H-2 adsorption than the AcSS derived catalyst. In FTS reactions, the TEOS derived catalyst showed higher activity and C-5(+) selectivity than the AcSS derived catalyst. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.