Sorption studies of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>, N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO,O<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Ar on nanoporous aluminum terephthalate [MIL-53(Al)]

Aluminum terephthalate, MIL-53(Al), metal–organic framework synthesized hydrothermally and purified by solvent extraction method was used as an adsorbent for gas adsorption studies. The synthesized MIL-53(Al) was characterized by powder X-Ray diffraction analysis, surface area measurement using N₂ adsorption–desorption at 77 K, FTIR spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. Adsorption isotherms of CO₂, CH₄, CO, N₂, O₂ and Ar were measured at 288 and 303 K. The absolute adsorption capacity was found in the order CO₂>CH₄>CO>N₂>Ar>O₂. Henry’s constants, heat of adsorption in the low pressure region and adsorption selectivities for the adsorbate gases were calculated from their adsorption isotherms. The high selectivity and low heat of adsorption for CO₂ suggests that MIL-53(Al) is a potential adsorbent material for the separation of CO₂ from gas mixtures. The high selectivity for CH₄ over O₂ and its low heat of adsorption suggests that MIL-53(Al) could also be a compatible adsorbent for the separation of methane from methane–oxygen gas mixtures.     

Deep desulfurization of gasoline using ion-exchange zeolites: Cu(I)- and Ag(I)-beta

Solid adsorbents Cu(I) and Ag(I) metal exchanged beta zeolites were prepared by solid-state ion-exchange (SSIE) method. Crystallographic structure of the prepared adsorbents has been characterized by XRD analysis. The texture of the prepared adsorbents was investigated using N₂ sorption. Pyridine IR measurements have been carried out to investigate the nature of the acid sites of the adsorbents. The deep-desulfurization performance of such adsorbents has been evaluated through fixed-bed adsorption technique with model gasoline containing thiophene and benzothiophene at ambient temperature and pressure. The obtained results revealed that the breakthrough capacities of Cu(I)- and Ag(I)-beta zeolite with the optimized Cu⁺ or Ag⁺ content are 0.239 mmol S/g and 0.237 mmol S/g, respectively. The remaining sulfur in the desulfurized gasoline is less than 1 ppmw. Their desulfurization capacity for actual FCC gasoline blend is reduced about 30% due to the competitive adsorption from olefins and aromatics. However, The capacity regeneration of Cu(I)- and Ag(I)-beta zeolite sorbents was carried out for 9 times. It is more than 95% recovery of desulfurization after the first regeneration, and it keeps little reduction after subsequent 8 times of regeneration. Such studies included the effect factors on desulfurization performance, such as metal exchange content, SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio, acidity, and other texture properties of the zeolite etc.     

Separation characteristics of tetrapropylammoniumbromide templating silica/alumina composite membrane in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript> systems

Nanoporous silica membrane without any pinholes and cracks was synthesized by organic templating method. The tetrapropylammoniumbromide (TPABr)-templating silica sols were coated on tubular alumina composite support ( γ-Al₂O₃/ α-Al₂O₃ composite) by dip coating and then heat-treated at 550 °C. By using the prepared TPABr templating silica/alumina composite membrane, adsorption and membrane transport experiments were performed on the CO₂/N₂, CO₂/H₂ and CH₄/H₂ systems. Adsorption and permeation by using single gas and binary mixtures were measured in order to examine the transport mechanism in the membrane. In the single gas systems, adsorption characteristics on the α-Al₂O₃ support and nanoporous unsupport (TPABr templating SiO₂/ γ-Al₂O₃ composite layer without α-Al₂O₃ support) were investigated at 20–40 °C conditions and 0.0–1.0 atm pressure range. The experimental adsorption equilibrium was well fitted with Langmuir or/and Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm models. The α-Al₂O₃ support had a little adsorption capacity compared to the unsupport which had relatively larger adsorption capacity for CO₂ and CH₄. While the adsorption rates in the unsupport showed in the order of H₂> CO₂> N₂> CH₄ at low pressure range, the permeate flux in the membrane was in the order of H₂≫N₂> CH₄> CO₂. Separation properties of the unsupport could be confirmed by the separation experiments of adsorbable/non-adsorbable mixed gases, such as CO₂/H₂ and CH₄/H₂ systems. Although light and non-adsorbable molecules, such as H₂, showed the highest permeation in the single gas permeate experiments, heavier and strongly adsorbable molecules, such as CO₂ and CH₄, showed a higher separation factor (CO₂/H₂=5-7, CH₄/H₂=4-9). These results might be caused by the surface diffusion or/and blocking effects of adsorbed molecules in the unsupport. And these results could be explained by surface diffusion. This paper is dedicated to Professor Hyun-Ku Rhee on the occasion of his retirement from Seoul National University.     

A Computational Study of the Adsorptive Removal of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S by MOF-199

Metal–organic framework material MOF-199 is a new type of adsorption material for removal toxic H₂S. In this work, the effects of temperature and pressure on the performance of H₂S adsorption in MOF-199 were studied by using the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation; the interaction mechanism between framework atoms of MOF-199 and guest H₂S molecules were further discussed through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is found that the MOF-199 adsorption capacity towards H₂S decreases with increasing temperature and increases with increasing pressure. At low pressures, the frameworks containing the binding sites of copper dimers and trimesic acid are the main factor affecting the adsorption performance of MOF-199. While at high pressures, the free volume of MOF-199 contributes to the adsorption capacity as well. The adsorptive interactions between H₂S and the organic ligand are weak (>??14.469 kJ/mol). When H₂S adsorption on the Cu–Cu bridge, the binding energies of the modes where hydrogen is put inward of the copper dimer are generally smaller than that where hydrogen is outward, whereas the adsorption on the top of copper ion shows the smallest BEs value (<??50 kJ/mol) due to its tendency of forming a saturated six-coordinated configuration.     

Temperature programmed desorption of oxygen from Pd films interfaced with Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-doped ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The origin of the effect of non-faradaic electrochemical modification of catalytic activity (NEMCA) or Electrochemical Promotion was investigated via temperature-programmed-desorption (TPD) of oxygen, from polycrystalline Pd films deposited on 8 mol%Y₂O₃–stabilized–ZrO₂ (YSZ), an O²⁻ conductor, under high-vacuum conditions and temperatures between 50 and 250 °C. Oxygen was adsorbed both via the gas phase and electrochemically, as O²⁻, via electrical current application between the Pd catalyst film and a Au counter electrode. Gaseous oxygen adsorption gives two adsorbed atomic oxygen species desorbing at about 300 °C (state β₁) and 340–500 °C (state β₂). The creation of the low temperature peak is favored at high exposure times (exposure >1 kL) and low adsorption temperatures (T_ads < 200 °C). The decrease of the open circuit potential (or catalyst work function) during the adsorption at high exposure times, indicates the formation of subsurface oxygen species which desorbs at higher temperatures (above 450 °C). The desorption peak of this subsurface oxygen is not clear due to the wide peaks of the TPD spectra. The TPD spectra after electrochemical O²⁻ pumping to the Pd catalyst film show two peaks (at 350 and 430 °C) corresponding to spillover O_ads and according to the reaction:

A comparative theoretical study of Au,Ag and Cu adsorption on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> (110) rutile surfaces

The adsorption properties of Au, Ag and Cu on TiO₂ (110) rutile surfaces are examined using density functional theory slab calculations within the generalized gradient approximation. We consider five and four different adsorption sites for the metal adsorption on the stoichiometric and reduced surfaces, respectively. The metal-oxide bonding mechanism and the reactivity of metal atoms are also discussed based on the analyses of local density of states and charge density differences. This study predicts that Au atoms prefer to adsorb at the fourfold hollow site over the fivefold-coordinated Ti(5c) and in-plane and bridging O(2c) atoms with the adsorption energy of ≈0.6 eV. At this site, it appears that the covalent and ionic interactions with the Ti(5c) and the O(2c), respectively, contribute synergistically to the Au adsorption. At a neutral F _s ⁰ center on the reduced surface, Au binds to the surface via a rather strong ionic interaction with surrounding sixfold-coordinated Ti(6c) atoms, and its binding energy is much larger than to the stoichiometric surface. On the other hand, Ag and Cu strongly interact with the surface bridging O(2c) atoms, and the site between two bridging O(2c) atoms is predicted to be energetically the most favorable adsorption site. The adsorption energies of Ag and Cu at the B site are estimated to be ≈1.2 eV and ≈1.8 eV, respectively. Unlike Au, the interaction of Ag and Cu with a vacancy defect is much weaker than with the stoichiometric surface. °This paper is dedicated to Professor Hyun-Ku Rhee on the occasion of his retirement from Seoul National University.     

Synthesis and characterization of zeolite mazzite analogue in Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Piperazine–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Zeolite Mazzite (MAZ) analogue was synthesized directly using piperazine as a structure directing agent. The reactive gel composition used was (5.0–7.0) piperazine:(6.0–7.0) Na₂O:Al₂O₃:20.0SiO₂:400H₂O. Using this composition, the reaction time was shortened greatly to 4 days and the crystallization time was reduced as well. The DTA data showed that piperazine, in as-synthesized zeolite omega decomposed easily. The decomposition of the piperazine occurred at 400–480°C. NH₃-TPD analysis proved that zeolite H-omega from piperazine had strong surface acidity with ammonia desorption temperature up to 590°C.     

Sulfidation/regeneration multicycle testing of nickel-modified ZnFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> desulphurization sorbent

A commercial metal oxide sorbent for the desulphurization of coal-derived gas requires high desulphurization reactivity, mechanical strength, ability to regenerate, and stability to endure many sulfidation-regeneration cycles. In this paper, the sulfur capacity and multiple cycles of a nickel-modified ZnFe₂O₄ sorbent prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion method were measured in a fixed-bed reactor at middle temperature of 300°C (sulfidation temperature) and 500°C (regeneration temperature). Also, the BET surface area, pore volume, average pore diameter and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the sorbent through multicycles were studied. Multicycle runs indicate that the sulfidation reactivity decreases slightly during the second cycle and keeps steady in the following cycles. The results indicate that the nickel-modified ZnFe₂O₄ keeps high reactivity and structural stability in the multicycle testing of sulfidation/regeneration.     

The effect of HCl and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O on the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S removing capacities of Zn-Ti-based desulfurization sorbents promoted by cobalt and nickel oxide

The sulfur removing capacities of various Zn-Ti-based sorbents were investigated in the presence of H₂O and HCl at high-(sulfidation, 650 °C; regeneration, 800 °C) and medium-(sulfidation, 480 °C; regeneration, 580 °C) temperature conditions. The H₂O effect of all sorbents was not observed at high-temperature conditions. At mediumtemperature conditions, the reaction rate of ZT (Zn/Ti : 1.5) sorbent decreased with the level of H₂O concentration, while modified (ZTC, ZTN) sorbents were not affected by the water vapor. HCl vapor resulted in the deactivation of ZT sorbent with a cycle number at high-temperature due to the production of ZnCl₂ while the sulfur removing capacities of ZTC and ZTN sorbents were maintained during 4–5 cyclic tests. In the case of medium-temperature conditions, ZT sorbent was poisoned by HCl vapor while cobalt and nickel added to ZT sorbent played an important catalytic role to prevent from being poisoned by HCl due to providing heat, emitted when these additives quickly react with H₂S even at medium-temperature conditions, to the sorbents     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> retention ability on alkali cation exchanged titanium silicate,ETS-10

ETS-10 was ion exchanged by various alkali cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) and the BET surface area and pore volume was exactly consistent with cationic size; that is, in the order of Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺. It was observed that a single point adsorption capacity was inversely proportional to cationic size. The largest CO₂ capacity was observed for Li⁺-ETS-10 and it is attributed to greater cation–quadrupole interactions with CO₂ than larger cation. The results also suggests that as the CO₂ loading is increased, the accessibility of adsorbing CO₂ to framework basic O⁻ sites should have become difficult with the increase in cationic size due to the blocking effect by extra-framework CO₂-M⁺. The slight decrease in the slope of adsorption capacity with temperature, especially beyond 373 K for Li⁺-ETS-10 and K⁺-ETS-10 suggests that the adsorption of CO₂ on small alkali cation exchanged-ETS-10 at high temperature is somewhat associated with basic oxygen anion sites in framework due to the existence of large pore. The CO₂-TPD results show that the amount of desorbed CO₂ at higher temperature was proportionally increased due to the increased basicity of oxygen anions in framework. It also shows that the desorption temperature associated with alkali cations in extra-framework (corresponding to low temperature desorption peak) has been lowered with the increase in cationic size, indicating weak cation–quadrupole interactions with CO₂ for larger cations.     

Epoxidation of Propylene on a [Ag<Subscript>14</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>] Cluster Representing Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (001) Surface: A Density Functional Theory Study

Abstract  

Density functional theory calculations were employed to study partial oxidation of propylene on a [Ag₁₄O₉] cluster representing Ag₂O (001) surface for which positive effect for ethylene oxide formation has been reported in our earlier work at the same level of theory (Fellah et al., Catal Lett 141:762, 2011). Propylene oxide (PO), propanal, acetone and П-allyl radical formation reaction mechanisms were investigated. Π-allyl formation path and two propylene adsorption paths resulting in PO formation are competing reactions on silver oxide (001) surface because of their comparable activation barriers (9, 8 and 9 kcal/mol, respectively) while Π-allyl formation path is generally a more favorable path on Ag (111) surface as reported in previous theoretical literature. SO₂ adsorption calculations indicate that silver oxide has lower Lewis basicity relative to oxygen atom adsorbed on silver. Calculations also showed that surface oxygen atom of Ag₂O (001) has a higher spin density compared to that of oxygen atom adsorbed on Ag (111), which indicates that oxygen atom on Ag₂O (001) cluster has a more radical character.     

Adsorption of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CO on H-zeolites with different framework topologies and chemical compositions and a correlation to probing protonic sites using NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> adsorption

Adsorption of CO₂ and CO at 25 °C has been conducted using commercially-available (Y, ZSM-5) and laboratory-synthesized (SSZ-13, SAPO-34) H-zeolites with different framework topologies and chemical compositions, and their textual and surface properties have been characterized by N₂ sorption and NH₃ adsorption techniques. All the zeolites were microporous, although ZSM-5 and SSZ-13 apparently showed a mesoporous sorption behavior due to the interparticle spaces. The zeolites had Si/Al values in the order of SSZ-13 (16.44) > ZSM-5 (16.08) ? Y (2.82) ? SAPO-34 (0.19). Regardless, high CO₂ adsorption capacity was obtained for SSZ-13 and SAPO-34 with a CHA framework. The FAU zeolite Y with the highest micropore volume showed less CO₂ adsorption than the CHA zeolites and the MFI-type ZSM-5 yielded the poorest performance. Probing acid sites in the H-form zeolites using NH₃ disclosed that these all contain both weak and strong acid sites with significant dependence of their strengths and amounts on the topology. The acid strength of the weak acid sites in the CHA zeolites was the weakest, which might allow a stronger interaction with CO₂. The H-zeolites gave CO₂/CO selectivity factors that were in the range of 4.61–11.0, depending on the framework topology.     

Unexpected Formation of a Doubly Bridged Cyclo-1,2-dithian 1D Coordination Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>I<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Containing Luminescent Polymer

Abstract  

CuI reacts instantaneously with butanedithiol in MeCN solution to form a sparingly soluble and thermally stable colorless polymeric material 1 of composition [(Cu₂I₂){HS(CH₂)₄SH}] _n . Raman and IR spectroscopy confirm the presence of Cu(I) bound S–H functions. Furthermore, small amounts of the yellow compound [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(C₄H₈S₂)₂] _n 2 co-crystallize after several days. If the reaction mixture is exposed to air, polymeric 2 is isolated as the main product. An X-ray diffraction study reveals that 1D polymer 2 is assembled by rhomboid Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu clusters (d Cu···Cu 2.6843(18) ?), which are linked through the S-atoms of six-membered 1,2-dithian heterocycles, thus generating an infinite ribbon. The low-frequency region in the Raman spectra show a striking similarity suggesting that polymers 1 and 2 bear the same cluster rhomboid Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu clusters. The photophysics and luminescence properties of 2 have been studied experimentally and by means of DFT/TDDFT calculations.     

Oxygen permeability and structural stability of La<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>O<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript> membrane

La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ oxides were synthesized by citrate method and hydrothermal method. The oxides prepared by citrate method are perovskite type structure, while the oxides by hydrothermal method have a small amount of secondary phase in the powder. Pyrex glass seal and Ag melting seal provided reliable gas-tight sealing of disk type dense membrane in the range of operation temperature, but commercial ceramic binder could not be removed from the support tube without damage to the tube or membrane. Though the degree of gas tightness increases in the order of glass>Ag>ceramic binder, in the case of glass seal, the undesired spreading of glass leads to an interfacial reaction between it and the membrane and reduction of effective permeation area. The oxygen flux of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ membrane increases with increasing temperature and decreasing thickness, and the oxygen permeation flux through 1.0 mm membrane exposed to flowing air (P _h =0.21 atm) and helium (P₁=0.037 atm) is ca. 0.33 ml/cm²·min at 950 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis for the membrane after permeation test over 160 h revealed that La₂O₃ and unknown compound were formed on the surface of membrane. The segregation compounds of surface elements formed on both surfaces of membrane irrespective of spreading of glass sealing material. This paper was presented at the 6 ^th Korea-China Workshop on Clean Energy Technology held at Busan, Korea, July 4–7, 2006.     

Evaluating the ability of separation and adsorption of SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> by nano-CuO-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in high concentrations and moderate temperatures

Nano CuO-Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ adsorbents were made with different compositions of metal oxides using precipitation- desorption method. The adsorbents were applied for adsorption of SO₂ at high concentrations ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 ppm and temperatures between 523 and 627 K. Adsorption experiments were applied for adsorbents in a laboratory fixed bed adsorption column. The adsorption capacity was measured by calculating the area under the adsorption curve using the integral method. The results showed that temperature is the most affecting factor on the adsorption capacity. The highest adsorption capacity was obtained by using 17, 8 and 75 wt% of CuO, Fe₂O₃ and nano TiO₂, respectively. Characteristics of the best sorbent were determined by using Fe-SEM, XRD and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analyses.     

Chemical and electrochemical characterization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> atomic layer depositions on AZ-31 magnesium alloy

In this study, innovative TiO₂/Al₂O₃ mono/multilayers were applied by atomic layer depositions (ALD) on ASTM-AZ-31 magnesium/aluminum alloy to enhance its well-known scarce corrosion resistance. Four different configurations of ALD layers were tested: single TiO₂ layer, single Al₂O₃ layer, Al₂O₃/TiO₂ bilayer and Al₂O₃/TiO₂/Al₂O₃/TiO₂ multilayer deposited using Al[(CH₃)]₃ (trimethylaluminum, TMA), and TiCl₄ and H₂O precursors. All depositions were performed at 120°C to obtain an amorphous-like structure of both oxide layers. The four coatings were then investigated using different techniques, such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), stylus profilometer, glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES) and polarization curves in 0.05-M NaCl solution. The thickness of all the coatings was around 100 nm. The layers compositions were successfully investigated by the GDOES technique, although obtained data seem to be affected by substrate roughness and differences in sputtering rates between ceramic oxides and metallic magnesium alloy. Corrosion resistance showed to be strongly enhanced by the nanometric coatings, giving lower corrosion current densities in 0.05-M NaCl media with respect to the uncoated substrate (from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁶ A/cm² for the single layers and from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁸ A/cm² for the bi- and multilayers). All polarization curves on coated samples also showed a passive region, wider for the bi-layer (from −0.58 to −0.43 V with respect to Ag/AgCl) and multilayer (from −0.53 to −0.38 V with respect to Ag/AgCl) structures.     

Underlying mechanism of the hydrothermal instability of Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BTC)<Subscript>2</Subscript> metal-organic framework

Water induced decomposition of Cu₃(BTC)₂ (BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) metal-organic framework (MOF) was studied using dynamic water vapour adsorption. Small-angle X-ray scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analyses revealed that the underlying mechanism of Cu₃(BTC)₂ MOF decomposition under humid streams is the interpenetration of water molecules into Cu-BTC coordination to displace organic linkers (BTC) from Cu centres.     

Liquid-phase adsorption and isomerization of C<Subscript>5</Subscript>-C<Subscript>8</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-paraffins

The liquid-phase adsorption of n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, and n-octane from natural gasoline on zeolite CaA and their catalytic isomerization has been investigated experimentally and theoretically with the aim of increasing the octane number of a low-octane gasoline. An integrated process flowsheet combining processes in an adsorber and in an isomerization reactor has been developed. The basic results are as follows: the ultimate activity of CaA with respect to n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, and n-octane in the case of their simultaneous adsorption at 25.0°C is 4.2, 4.7, 5.1, and 6.3 kg/100 kg, respectively. Kinetic and outlet adsorption data are also presented. The maximum yield of C₅, C₆, C₇, and C₈ iso-paraffins is 62.0, 70.0, 66.0, and 47.0%, respectively. A mathematical model of the processes has been developed, and their parameters have been calculated. Calculated and experimental data are in satisfactory agreement.     

Al-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> mesoporous materials: synthesis and photodegradation properties

Aluminium-doped TiO₂ mesoporous material was successfully fabricated by solid-state reaction with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a template agent and tetrabutyl orthotitanate as a precursor. The characteristic results from low-angle and wide-angle X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, N₂ absorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible light spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) clearly showed that the mesoporous architecture of aluminium-doped TiO₂ was composed of crystal wall and micro-/mesopore formed gradually by the mesopore degradation of anatase TiO₂, and aluminium had been doped into the framework of anatase TiO₂. The mesoporous Al-doped TiO₂ material, not only possessed high thermal stability hexahedral mesostructure, large BET surface area and narrow distribution of pore size, but also showed excellent photodegradation behavior for Congo Red. Furthermore the medium UV–Vis absorption peak of mesoporous aluminium-doped TiO₂ in the range 210–370 nm was the absorption peak of aluminium oxide nanoparticles locating the extraframework of TiO₂. A small quantity of aluminium doped into anatase TiO₂ could obviously improve photodegradation activity, and the photodegradation activity of aluminium-doped TiO₂ was higher than that of pure TiO₂.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of nanostructured Me/Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the oxidation of carbon monoxide

The nanostructured solid solution Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ is synthesized to develop effective noble metal free catalysts for the detoxification of technogenic contaminants. Its chemical and phase compositions and textural characteristics are studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, laser mass spectrometry, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The activity of the solid solution in the oxidation of carbon monoxide is determined by the flow method within a temperature range of 20–300°C at atmospheric pressure, a gas hourly space velocity of 1800 h⁻¹ for the following gas mixture composition, vol %: CO, 3.6; O₂, 8.0; N₂, balance. The activity of Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ is shown to be appreciably higher than the activity of MnO_x and CeO₂, and the temperature of 100% conversion is 92, 120, and 210°C, respectively. Using the solid solution as a support and the technique of impregnation, we synthesize the nanostructured catalysts Cu/Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ and Ag/Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂, which manifest high activity in the oxidation of carbon monoxide: the temperature of 100% conversion is 77 and 85°C, respectively. The new catalysts could be of interest for the purification of industrial and motor vehicle wastes.