The catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane and the surface basicity of La2O3, Nd2O3, ZrO2 and Nb2O5

The catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) of unmodified pure La₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅ has been investigated under various conditions. The results confirmed that the activity of La₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ was always much higher than that of the remaining two. The surface basicity/base strength distribution of pure La₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅ was measured using a test reaction of transformation of 2-butanol and a temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂. Both methods showed that La₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ had high basicity and contained medium and strong basic sites (lanthanum oxide more and neodymium oxide somewhat less). ZrO₂ had only negligible amount of weak basic sites and Nb₂O₅ was rather acidic. The confrontation of the basicity and catalytic performance indicated that in the case of investigated oxides, the basicity (especially strong basic sites) could be a decisive factor in determination of the catalytic activity in OCM. Only in the case of ZrO₂ it was observed a moderate catalytic performance in spite of negligible basicity. The influence of a gas atmosphere used in the calcination of oxides (flowing oxygen, helium and nitrogen) on their basicity and catalytic activity in OCM had been also investigated. Contrary to earlier observations with MgO, no effect of calcination atmosphere on the catalytic performance of investigated oxides in OCM and on their basicity was observed.     

The effect of sodium on the catalytic activity of ZnO–Al2O3/ZSM-5 and SnO–Al2O3/ZSM-5 for the transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol

In order to elucidate the effect of sodium on the activity of ZSM-5 supported metal oxides catalysts (ZnO–Al₂O₃/ZSM-5 and SnO–Al₂O₃/ZSM-5) for the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol, ZSM-5 supported metal oxides were prepared with and without sodium hydroxide by impregnation. The metal compositions of the ZSM-5 supported metal oxide catalysts and the metal concentrations dissolved from the catalysts to the methylester phase were measured by SEM-EDS and inductive coupled plasma spectroscopy, respectively. The catalytic activity of ZnO–Al₂O₃/ZSM-5 and SnO–Al₂O₃/ZSM-5 containing sodium did not originate from surface metal oxides sites, but from surface sodium sites or dissolved sodium leached from the catalyst surface.     

High Efficiency of Noble Metal and Metal Oxide Catalyst Systems for the Selective Reduction of NO with Propene in Lean Exhaust Gas

An investigation was conducted of noble metal and metal oxide catalysts deposited on Al₂O₃. The noble metals Pt, Pd, Rh the metal oxides CuO, SnO₂, CoO, Ag₂O, In₂O₃, catalysts were examined. Also investigated were noble metal Pt, Pd, Rh-doped In₂O₃/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by single sol–gel method. Both were studied for their capability to reduce NO by propene under lean conditions. In order to improve the catalytic activity and the temperature window, the intermediate addition propene between a Pt/Al₂O₃ oxidation and metal oxide combined catalyst system was also studied. Pt/Al₂O₃ and In₂O₃/Al₂O₃ combined catalyst showed high NO reduction activity in a wider temperature window, and more than 60% NO conversion was observed in the temperature range of 300–550 °C.     

Metal oxide catalysts for DME steam reforming: Ga2O3 and Ga2O3–Al2O3 catalysts

The steam reforming of dimethyl ether (DME) was performed on Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ mixed oxides prepared by sol–gel method. Ga₂O₃ significantly affects the catalytic performance with respect to the DME conversion and H₂ yield. The catalytic activity increases with the Ga concentration in Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ mixed oxides. It is very interesting that without the aid of an additional transition metal component, Ga₂O₃ and Ga₂O₃ containing Al₂O₃ mixed oxide system exhibit good activity in the reforming reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that reveals the reforming ability of Ga₂O₃ for the production of H₂ from DME and/or methanol.     

Effect of Y2O3 and Er2O3 co-dopants on phase stabilization of bismuth oxide

Bi₂O₃ compositions were prepared to investigate the effect of rare earth metal oxides as co-dopants on phase stability of bismuth oxide. Compositions containing 9-14 mol% of Y₂O₃ and Er₂O₃ were synthesized by solid state reaction. The structural characterization was carried out using X-ray powder diffraction. The XRD results show that the samples containing 12 and 14 mol% total dopants had cubic structure, whereas the samples with lower dopant concentrations were tetragonal. Comparing the lattice parameters of the cubic phases of (Bi₂O₃)_0.88(Y₂O₃)_0.06(Er₂O₃)_0.06 and (Bi₂O₃)_0.86(Y₂O₃)_0.07(Er₂O₃)_0.07 revealed that lattice parameter decreases by increasing the dopant concentration. The XRD pattern and the powder density results indicated the formation of solid solution in the studied systems. After annealing samples with cubic phase at 600 °C for various periods of time, phase transformation to tetragonal and rhombohedral occurs.     

Cu-Cr2O3催化剂上二氟乙酸甲酯催化加氢合成二氟乙醇

采用共沉淀法制备了Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂,考察了铜含量对Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂的二氟乙酸甲酯加氢合成二氟乙醇性能的影响。运用X射线衍射(XRD)、程序升温还原(TPR)、BET和Raman光谱技术对该催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,还原态Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂物相主要由Cu和Cr₂O₃组成,然而30Cu-Cr₂O₃和50Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂存在少量CuCr₂O₄和CuCrO₂复合氧化物。随着铜含量的增加,Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂的二氟乙酸甲酯单程转化率呈现先上升后下降的趋势,而二氟乙醇选择性保持在70%左右; 30Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂的二氟乙酸甲酯单程转化率达到最大值97%。Cu-Cr₂O₃催化剂的二氟乙酸甲酯加氢反应比速率随着铜含量的增加呈现增大的趋势,反应比速率的提高可能与催化剂中CuCr₂O₄和CuCrO₂物种的存在有关。     

The effect of foreign ions on the reactivity of the CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-Fe2O3 system: Part II: Cations

The subject of this paper is the effect of foreign cations on the reactivity of the CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ system. One reference mixture and eighteen modified mixtures, prepared by mixing the reference sample with 1% w/w of chemical grade MnO₂, CuO, V₂O₅, PbO, CdO, ZrO₂, Li₂O, MoO₃, Co₂O₃, NiO, WO₃, ZnO, Nb₂O₅, CrO₃, Ta₂O₅, TiO₂, BaO₂ and H₃BO₃ were studied. The effect on the reactivity is evaluated on the basis of the free lime content in samples sintered at 1200 and 1450 °C. At 1200 °C, the reactivity of the mixture is greatly increased in the presence of Cu and Li oxides. Based on their effect at 1450 °C, the added elements can be divided into three groups. W, Ta, Cu, Ti and Mo show the most positive effect, decreasing the free CaO (fCaO) content by 30-60%, compared with the pure sample. Cr and B cause an increase of fCaO content, while the rest of the elements exhibit a marginal positive effect. According to their volatility at 1450 °C, the added compounds can be subdivided into three groups of low (Ti⁴⁺, Cu²⁺, Mo⁶⁺, W⁺⁶, V⁵⁺, Zn²⁺, Zr⁴⁺), moderate (Cr⁶⁺, Co³⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn⁴⁺) and high volatility (Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺). All burned samples, analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, have a final mineralogical composition, which corresponds to the structure of a typical clinker.     

Acid-Base Properties of Alumina-Supported M2O3 (M=B, Ga, In) Catalysts

The acid-base properties of -Al₂O₃ and alumina-supported B₂O₃, Ga₂O₃ and In₂O₃ have been determined by microcalorimetry of ammonia and sulfur dioxide adsorption. From the adsorption of NH₃, it was found that the addition of B₂O₃ on alumina leads to an increase of the number of acid sites, while Ga₂O₃ and In₂O₃ additives caused a decrease in the acidity of alumina. Using SO₂ as a probe molecule to study the basicity, the number of surface basic sites on alumina was found to be strongly decreased by the addition of boron oxide, while it was only slightly affected by the addition of gallium oxide and decreased by the addition of indium oxide. The differential heats of adsorption are discussed as a function of the coverage by the probe molecules. The electronic properties of the oxides are examined in order to explain the acid-base properties of the supported oxides.     

A shrinking core model for the electro-deoxidation of metal oxides in molten halide salts

A shrinking core model is developed and applied to the electro-deoxidation of metal oxides (such as TiO₂, SiO₂, NiO, Cr₂O₃ and Nb₂O₃). Among these the reduction of TiO₂ is the most complex due to reduction by formation of a number of lower oxides and perovskite formation under certain experimental conditions. Hence, TiO₂ is chosen as the model material for this reduction. First, a single stage model is adopted for the reduction of TiO₂ to Ti and it is shown that an additional term for the oxygen concentration in the shell must be added to get the accurate values of oxygen concentration unless the concentration at the exterior of the grain is zero. Subsequently, a multi-stage model for the successive reduction of titanium oxides to titanium is proposed. It uses a shrinking core of the oxides in the order starting from TiO₂ to Ti₃O₅ to Ti₂O₃ to TiO to Ti. An analytical solution is developed for the transient differential equation resulting in a series solution for the concentration of oxygen in the lower oxides. Subsequently, a solution based on the pseudo-steady assumption is also developed. It is shown that for the parameters chosen, at certain values of dimensionless applied current density, I_d, (∼0.1) the transient and pseudo-steady state solutions agree in terms of the dimensionless time it takes for the core to shrink completely. The proposed model could be applied to other metal oxides such as SiO₂, NiO, Cr₂O₃, Nb₂O₃ and other metal oxides that are reduced using the Fray-Farthing-Chen (FFC) process mechanism. This can be used for a reactor scale model or for performing a parametric study of the current density and the grain size.     

Metal oxides nanoparticles on SBA-15: Efficient catalyst for methane combustion

Catalysts based on crystalline nanoparticles of Mn and Co metal oxides supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 have been developed. These materials were characterized by XRD, BET and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. SBA-15 mesoporous silica was synthesized by a conventional sol–gel method using a tri-block copolymer as surfactant. Supported Mn₃O₄ and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were obtained after calcination of as-impregnated SBA-15 by a metal salt precursor. The catalytic activity was evaluated in the combustion of methane at low concentration.Co₃O₄/SBA-15 (7 wt.%) exhibits the highest performance among the different oxides. Furthermore, this novel generation of catalysts appeared as active as conventional LaCoO₃ perovskite, usually taken as reference for this reaction. Thanks to its organized meso-structures, SBA-15 material creates peculiar diffusion conditions for reactants and/or products.     

Corrosion mechanisms of Al2O3/MgAl2O4 by V2O5, NiO, Fe2O3 and vanadium slag

The effects of V₂O₅, NiO, Fe₂O₃ and vanadium slag on the corrosion of Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ have been investigated. The specimens of Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ with the respective oxides above mentioned were heated at 10 °C/min from room temperature up to three different temperatures: 1400, 1450 and 1500 °C. The corrosion mechanisms of each system were followed by XRD and SEM analyses. The results obtained showed that Al₂O₃ was less affected by the studied oxides than MgAl₂O₄. Alumina was only attacked by NiO forming NiAl₂O₄ spinel, while the MgAl₂O₄ spinel was attacked by V₂O₅ forming MgV₂O₆. It was also observed that Fe₂O₃ and Mg, Ni, V and Fe present in the vanadium slag diffused into Al₂O₃. On the other hand, the Fe₂O₃ and Ca, S, Si, Na, Mg, V and Fe diffused into the MgAl₂O₄ structure. Finally, the results obtained were compared with those predicted by the FactSage software.     

Development of Catalyst-Sorbents for Simultaneous Removal of SO2 From Flue Gas by Low Temperature Ozone Oxidation

One technological process employing ozone and heterogeneous catalyst-sorbents was proposed for removal of SO₂ from flue gas. The catalyst-sorbents were developed and tested especially for adsorption and oxidation of SO₂. Alternative catalyst-supporters including γ-Al₂O₃, permutite, silica gel, activated carbon and diatomite combined with different metal oxides (MnO₂, Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CuO, CoO and NiO) were evaluated and tested. It was found that γ-Al₂O₃ doped with MnO₂ can be considered as removal-effective sorbent for adsorption and oxidation of SO₂. The synergetic effect between ozone and catalyst was found to be dominated. Effects of catalyst preparation parameters like calcination temperature, metal loaded and reaction temperature, etc. were investigated based on the MnO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst-sorbents. Results show that γ-Al₂O₃ combined with 8% Mn, calcinated under 573 K and reacted at 413 K are the optimal parameters for removal of SO₂. Extra NO in flue gas can slightly enhance the capture efficiency of SO₂.     

Catalytic Ozonation by Manganese,Iron and Cerium Oxides on γ-Al2O3 Pellets for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Continuous Fixed-Bed Reactor

ABSTRACT

Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation is an efficient technology for degrading refractory organic pollutants in water. However, most studied heterogeneous catalysts for catalytic ozonation were powders, which were not practically available for continuous fixed-bed reactor in water treatment. In this work, manganese, iron and cerium oxides on γ-Al₂O₃ pellets were synthesized and used as heterogeneous catalysts for catalytic ozonation in a continuous fixed-bed reactor. Results showed that all the prepared metal oxides on γ-Al₂O₃ pellets exhibited facilitated catalytic ozonation for degrading refractory contaminates compared with ozonation alone and catalytic ozonation on pure γ-Al₂O₃ pellets. The cerium oxides supported on γ-Al₂O₃ pellets (CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃) performed best catalytic performance with the COD removal efficiency of 64.3% and TOC removal efficiency of 41.7%. Moreover, the catalytic activity was further enhanced by the synergistic effect of the bimetallic oxides on γ-Al₂O₃ pellets (CeO₂-Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃). This study is expected to help to encourage further research and applications in AOPs based on the success of this work in designing heterogeneous catalysts available for continuous fixed-bed reactor.     

Synthesis of ternary zinc spinel oxides and their application in the photodegradation of organic pollutant

Ternary zinc spinel oxides such as Zn₂SnO₄, ZnAl₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄ were synthesized and characterized, and their activities in the photodegradation of phenol molecules were investigated. Zn₂SnO₄, ZnAl₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄ powders were synthesized by hydrothermal, metal–chitosan complexation and solvothermal routes, respectively. The face-centered cubic spinel structure of each material was confirmed by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and its porous structure by N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. The characterization of spinels was complemented with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-rays fluorescence (XRF), revealing the formation of spinel structures with high purity. The photocatalytic activity in the degradation of phenol was observed only with Zn₂SnO₄ oxide. Mineralization degree of phenol molecules by Zn₂SnO₄ photocatalyst determined by total organic carbon analysis (TOC) reached 80% at 360 min under sunlight.     

CO2 adsorption and activation over γ-Al2O3-supported transition metal dimers: A density functional study

Catalytic conversion of CO₂ to liquid fuels has the benefit of reducing CO₂ emission. Adsorption and activation of CO₂ on the catalyst surface are key steps of the conversion. Herein, we used density functional theory (DFT) slab calculations to study CO₂ adsorption and activation over the γ-Al₂O₃-supported 3d transition metal dimers (M₂/γ-Al₂O₃, M = Sc–Cu). CO₂ was found to adsorb on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ negatively charged and in a bent configuration, indicating partial activation of CO₂. Our results showed that both the metal dimer and the γ-Al₂O₃ support contribute to the activation of the adsorbed CO₂. The presence of a metal dimer enhances the interaction of CO₂ with the substrate. Consequently, the adsorption energy of CO₂ on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ is significantly higher than that on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface without the metal dimer. The decreasing binding strength of CO₂ on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ as M₂ changes from Sc₂ to Cu₂ was attributed to decreasing electron-donation by the supported metal dimers. Hydroxylation of the support surface reduces the amount of charge transferred to CO₂ for the same metal dimer and weakens the CO₂ chemisorption bonds. Highly dispersed metal particles maintained at a small size are expected to exhibit good activity toward CO₂ adsorption and activation.     

Fuel mixture approach for solution combustion synthesis of Ca3Al2O6 powders

Single-phase 3CaO·Al₂O₃ powders were prepared via solution combustion synthesis using a fuel mixture of urea and β-alanine. The concept of using this fuel mixture comes from the individual reactivity of calcium nitrate and aluminum nitrate with respect to urea and β-alanine. It was proved that urea is the optimum fuel for Al(NO₃)₃ whereas β-alanine is the most suitable fuel for Ca(NO₃)₂. X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis investigations revealed that heating at 300 °C the precursor mixture containing the desired metal nitrates, urea and β-alanine triggers a vigorous combustion reaction, which yields single-phase nanocrystalline 3CaO·Al₂O₃ powder (33.3 nm). In this case additional annealing was no longer required. The use of a single fuel failed to ensure the formation of 3CaO·Al₂O₃ directly from the combustion reaction. After annealing at 900 °C for 1 h, the powders obtained by using a single fuel (urea or β-alanine) developed a phase composition comprising of 3CaO·Al₂O₃, 12CaO·7Al₂O₃ and CaO.     

Kinetic Analysis of Heterogeneous Photocatalysis: Role of Hydroxyl Radicals

This article provides the current research activities that concentrate on the role of hydroxyl radicals in heterogeneous photocatalysis by transition metal oxides for different nanostructures. We devote most attention to Al-based Fe₂O₃ nanostructures that have been synthesized using chemical methods. The visible light photocatalytic activity of nanocrystalline pure and Al-based Fe₂O₃ photocatalysts for degradation of Salicylic acid, 4-Cholorphenol, and Acid orange 7 (Azo dye) is reported. The catalytic activity and selectivity for organic species are remarkably influenced by the size of the different photocatalyst. Utilization of various structures, advanced oxidation processes, heterojunction between Al-based Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂, and application of solar energy for heterogeneous photocatalysis of water impurities were discussed. Extent of complete mineralization of such compounds by measuring COD and TOC was discussed. We conclude this review with personal perspectives on the directions towards which future research on this new class of nanostructured materials for photocatalysis might be directed.     

Long-term degradation of Ta2O5-doped Bi2O3 systems

Bismuth oxide in δ-phase is a well-known high oxygen ion conductor and can be used as an electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). 5-10 mol% Ta₂O₅ are doped into Bi₂O₃ to stabilize δ-phase by solid state reaction process. One Bi₂O₃ sample (7.5TSB) was stabilized by 7.5 mol% Ta₂O₅ and exhibited single phase δ-Bi₂O₃-like (type I) phase. Thermo-mechanical analyzer (TMA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), AC impedance and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to characterize the properties. The results showed that holding at 800-850 °C for 1 h was the appropriate sintering conditions to get dense samples. Obvious conductivity degradation phenomenon was obtained by 1000 h long-term treatment at 650 °C due to the formation of α-Bi₂O₃ phase and Bi₃TaO₇, and 〈1 1 1〉 vacancy ordering in Bi₃TaO₇ structure.     

Dehydrogenation of propane in the presence of N2O over In2O3―Al2O3 mixed oxide catalysts

Dehydrogenation of propane coupled with N₂O over a series of binary In₂O₃―Al₂O₃ mixed oxides was investigated. In contrast to the poor performance for sole N₂O decomposition, a remarkable synergy was identified between N₂O decomposition and propane dehydrogenation. Among the catalysts tested, the In₂O₃―Al₂O₃ sample containing a 20 mol% In₂O₃ showed the highest activity for propane dehydrogenation in the presence of N₂O. Moreover, stability far superior to those of the conventional iron-based materials was observed, attributable to the moderate surface acidity of the In―Al―O composite. The essential role of N₂O is suggested to generate active oxygen species facilitating propane dehydrogenation.     

Nano-gold supported on Fe2O3: A highly active catalyst for low temperature oxidative destruction of methane green house gas from exhaust/waste gases

A number of nano-gold catalysts were prepared by depositing gold on different metal oxides (viz. Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, Co₃O₄, MnO₂, CeO₂, MgO, Ga₂O₃ and TiO₂), using the homogeneous deposition precipitation (HDP) technique. The catalysts were evaluated for their performance in the combustion of methane (1 mol% in air) at different temperatures (300–600 °C) for a GHSV of 51,000 h⁻¹. The supported nano-gold catalysts have been characterized for their gold loading (by ICP) and gold particle size (by TEM/HRTEM or XRD peak broadening). Among these nano-gold catalysts, the Au/Fe₂O₃ (Au loading = 6.1% and Au particle size = 8.5 nm) showed excellent performance. For this catalyst, temperature required for half the methane combustion was 387 °C, which is lower than that required for Pd(1%)/Al₂O₃ (400 °C) and Pt(1%)/Al₂O₃ (500 °C) under identical conditions. A detailed investigation on the influence of space velocity (GHSV = 10,000–100,000 cm³ g⁻¹ h⁻¹) at different temperatures (200–600 °C) on the oxidative destruction of methane over the Au/Fe₂O₃ catalyst has also been carried out. The Au/Fe₂O₃ catalyst prepared by the HDP method showed much higher methane combustion activity than that prepared by the conventional deposition precipitation (DP) method. The XPS analysis showed the presence of Au in the different oxidation states (Au⁰, Au¹⁺ and Au³⁺) in the catalyst.