Hydrogen Production from Methanol Steam Reforming over Fe-Modified Cu/CeO Catalysts.

Fe-modified Cu catalysts with CeO support, prepared by the impregnation method, were subjected to physicochemical analysis and catalytic tests in the steam reforming of methanol (SRM). Physicochemical studies of the catalysts were carried out using the XRF, TEM, STEM-EDS, XRD, TPR and nitrogen adsorption/desorption methods. XRD, TEM studies and catalytic tests of the catalysts were carried out at two reduction temperatures, 260 °C and 400 °C, to determine the relationship between the form and oxidation state of the active phase of the catalysts and the catalytic properties of these systems in the SRM.

Catalytic Performance of CuZnAl Hydrotalcite-Derived Materials in the Continuous-Flow Chemoselective Hydrogenation of 2-Methyl-2-pentanal toward Fine Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Intermediates.

Hydrotalcite-derived materials are eco-friendly, cheap, and efficient catalysts of different reactions. However, their application in liquid-phase hydrogenation could be more extensive. Hence, this work concerns the application of three hydrotalcite-derived materials with different CuZnAl molar ratios in the liquid-phase continuous-flow hydrogenation of 2-methyl-2-pentenal (MPEA) at a wide range of temperature (298-378 K) and pressure (1 × 10-6 × 10 Pa).

Cobalt-based MOF-derived carbon electrocatalysts with tunable architecture for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction.

Development of the hydrogen economy requires the design of catalysts that increase the rate of the accompanying sluggish kinetic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This is a key process in electrochemical energy conversion and storage, such as water splitting and metal-air batteries. The OER needs high overpotential and typically expensive precious metal-based catalysts.

Effect of Potassium Doping on the Structural and Catalytic Properties of Co/MnO Catalyst in the Steam Reforming of Ethanol.

The promotional effect of potassium (~1.25 wt%) on a Co/MnO catalyst was studied for samples prepared by the impregnation method in the steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) process at 420 °C for a HO/EtOH molar ratio of 12/1. The catalysts were characterized using physicochemical methods to study their textural, structural, and redox properties.

Speciation of Oxygen Functional Groups on the Carbon Support Controls the Electrocatalytic Activity of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The effective use of the active phase is the main goal of the optimization of supported catalysts. However, carbon supports do not interact strongly with metal oxides, thus, oxidative treatment is often used to enhance the number of anchoring sites for deposited particles. In this study, we set out to investigate whether the oxidation pretreatment of mesoporous carbon allows the depositing of a higher loading and a more dispersed cobalt active phase.

Interactions between Nanoclay, CTAB and Linear/Star Shaped Polymers.

The influence of star-shaped (PAA-SS) and linear polyacrylic acid (PAA) with different molecular weights (high-PAA-HMW and low-PAA-LMW) on the structure of the adsorption layer, adsorption amount, electrokinetic and stabilizing properties of the PAA/CTAB/nanoclay suspensions was studied. The properties of the systems containing one of these polymers, the cationic surfactant-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and the surface-modified nanoclay (N-SM) were analyzed using the following techniques: BET, CHN, FT-IR, ED-XRF, XRD, HRTEM, UV-Vis, tensiometry and zeta potential measurements. It was proved that PAA could be used as an effective stabilizer of N-SM.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel composites derived from SBA-15 mesoporous silica and iron pentacarbonyl.

Hypothesis: Fe(CO) was deposited on SBA-15 from gaseous phase and the adsorbed iron precursor was oxidized and hydrolyzed. We hypothesize that a novel method produces composites of unique and useful properties. The absence of sulfur and halides in the composites is of special importance with respect of their potential application as catalysts and catalyst supports.

Exobiology of the Venusian Clouds: New Insights into Habitability through Terrestrial Models and Methods of Detection.

The search for life beyond Earth has focused on Mars and the icy moons Europa and Enceladus, all of which are considered a safe haven for life due to evidence of current or past water. The surface of Venus, on the other hand, has extreme conditions that make it a nonhabitable environment to life as we know it. This is in contrast, however, to its cloud layer, which, while still an extreme environment, may prove to be a safe haven for some extreme forms of life similar to extremophiles on Earth.

Direct Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methane over Ceria- and Alumina-Supported Nickel Catalysts for Biogas Valorization.

Direct methanation of CO over ceria- and alumina-supported nickel catalysts in the feed stream containing methane and traces of H S is reported. Stability tests for 20 h at 350 and 600 °C with a packed-bed reactor showed high resistance of the catalysts to sintering processes. Higher conversion at 350 °C was observed for ceria supported nickel catalyst.

Heterostructural Mixed Oxides Prepared via ZnAlLa LDH or ex-ZnAl LDH Precursors-Effect of La Content and Its Incorporation Route.

The effect of La content and its incorporation route on physicochemical properties of ZnO/Zn(Al,La)O or LaO-ZnO/ZnAlO mixed oxides with a spinel structure obtained from ZnAlLa Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) or ex-ZnAl LDH materials was investigated. The heterostructural nanocomposites with the similar Zn/Al molar ratio and varied La content were prepared by two techniques: via co-precipitation and thermal treatment of ZnAlLa LDHs at 500 °C or via incipient wetness impregnation of ex-ZnAl LDHs with aqueous solutions of lanthanum nitrate and subsequent thermal treatment. The obtained series of materials were characterized by the following techniques: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), N adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis with evolved gas analysis (TG/DTG/EGA), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FFT).

Recycling of Waste Solution after Hydrothermal Conversion of Fly Ash on a Semi-Technical Scale for Zeolite Synthesis.

Nowadays, using fly ash for zeolites production has become a well-known strategy aimed on sustainable development. During zeolite synthesis in a hydrothermal conversion large amount of post-reaction solution is generated. In this work, the solution was used as a substrate for Na-A and Na-X zeolites synthesis at laboratory and technical scale.

The Venus Life Equation.

Ancient Venus and Earth may have been similar in crucial ways for the development of life, such as liquid water oceans, land-ocean interfaces, favorable chemical ingredients, and energy pathways. If life ever developed on, or was transported to, early Venus from elsewhere, it might have thrived, expanded, and then survived the changes that have led to an inhospitable surface on Venus today. The Venus cloud layer may provide a refugium for extant life that persisted from an earlier more habitable surface environment.

Preparation and evaluation of active Cu-Zn-Al mixed oxides to CS removal for CO ultra-purification.

A simple synthesis route for the formation of Cu-Zn-Al-oxide with high surface area and porosity has been presented, tuned, and evaluated for CS removal from CO stream. Saturation of aqueous suspension of raw Cu, Zn, Al oxides with a stream of CO at mild conditions and subsequent thermal treatment was used for preparation of a series of materials with the same (Cu + Zn/Al) molar ratio but differentiated carbonate content. They were characterized by techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal gravimetry with evolved gas analysis (DTG/EGA), N sorption, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy SEM-EDS and were subjected to tests for CS sorption from the CO stream at 90 °C.

Venus' Spectral Signatures and the Potential for Life in the Clouds.

The lower cloud layer of Venus (47.5-50.5 km) is an exceptional target for exploration due to the favorable conditions for microbial life, including moderate temperatures and pressures (∼60°C and 1 atm), and the presence of micron-sized sulfuric acid aerosols.