From Biomass to Fuel Blendstocks via Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis and Hydrotreating: An Evaluation of Carbon Efficiency and Fuel Properties for Three Pathways.

Biomass was upgraded to fuel blendstocks via catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) followed by hydrotreating using three approaches: ex situ CFP with a zeolite catalyst (HZSM-5), ex situ CFP with a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst (Pt/TiO) and cofed hydrogen, and in situ CFP with a low-cost mixed metal oxide catalyst (red mud). Each approach was evaluated using a common pine feedstock and the same hydrotreating procedure. The oxygen contents in the CFP oils ranged from 17 to 28 wt % on a dry basis, and the carbon efficiencies for the CFP processes were in the range of 28-38%.

Integration of energy systems.

Abstract: This article in and the framework set out in the introductory article articulate a scenario of renewable electrons and electrification of end use appliances and industrial processes as a plausible paradigm to realize a carbon-free energy economy. The subsequent articles cover specific sectoral or chemical applications of those renewable electrons (e.g.

Electrocatalytic CO Reduction over CuP Nanoparticles Generated via a Molecular Precursor Route.

The design of nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored morphologies and finely tuned electronic and physical properties has become a key strategy for controlling selectivity and improving conversion efficiency in a variety of important electrocatalytic transformations. Transition metal phosphide NPs, in particular, have emerged as a versatile class of catalytic materials due to their multifunctional active sites and composition- and phase-dependent properties. Access to targeted transition metal phosphide NPs with controlled features is necessary to tune the catalytic activity.

An Exceptionally Mild and Scalable Solution-Phase Synthesis of Molybdenum Carbide Nanoparticles for Thermocatalytic CO Hydrogenation.

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) have demonstrated outstanding potential for utilization in a wide range of catalytic applications because of their inherent multifunctionality and tunable composition. However, the harsh conditions required to prepare these materials have limited the scope of synthetic control over their physical properties. The development of low-temperature, carburization-free routes to prepare TMCs would unlock the versatility of this class of materials, enhance our understanding of their physical properties, and enable their cost-effective production at industrial scales.

Application of phase-pure nickel phosphide nanoparticles as cathode catalysts for hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells.

Transition metal phosphide catalysts such as nickel phosphide (NiP) have shown excellent activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction, but they have primarily been studied in strongly acidic or alkaline electrolytes. In microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), however, the electrolyte is usually a neutral pH to support the bacteria. Carbon-supported phase-pure NiP nanoparticle catalysts (NiP/C) were synthesized using solution-phase methods and their performance was compared to Pt/C and Ni/C catalysts in MECs.

Synthesis of α-MoC1-x Nanoparticles with a Surface-Modified SBA-15 Hard Template: Determination of Structure-Function Relationships in Acetic Acid Deoxygenation.

Surface modification of mesoporous SBA-15 silica generated a hydrophobic environment for a molybdenum diamine (Mo-diamine) precursor solution, enabling direct growth of isolated 1.9±0.4 nm α-MoC1-x nanoparticles (NPs) inside the pores of the support.

High activity carbide supported catalysts for water gas shift.

Nanostructured carbides are refractory materials with high surface areas that could be used as alternatives to the oxide materials that are widely used as support materials for heterogeneous catalysts. Carbides are also catalytically active for a variety of reactions, offering additional opportunities to tune the overall performance of the catalyst. In this paper we describe the synthesis of molybdenum carbide supported platinum (Pt/Mo(2)C) catalysts and their rates for the water gas shift reaction.