Physicochemical surface and catalytic properties of CuO–ZnO/Al2O3 system

A series of CuO–ZnO/Al₂O₃ solids were prepared by wet impregnation using Al(OH)₃ solid and zinc and copper nitrate solutions. The amounts of copper and zinc oxides were varied between 10.3 and 16.0 wt% CuO and between 0.83 and 7.71 wt% ZnO. The prepared solids were subjected to thermal treatment at 400–1000°C. The solid–solid interactions between the different constituents of the prepared solids were studied using XRD analysis of different calcined solids. The surface characteristics of various calcined adsorbents were investigated using nitrogen adsorption at −196°C and their catalytic activities were determined using CO-oxidation by O₂ at temperatures ranged between 125°C and 200°C.

The results showed that CuO interacts with Al₂O₃ to produce copper aluminate at ≥600°C and the completion of this reaction requires heating at 1000°C. ZnO hinders the formation of CuAl₂O₄ at 600°C while stimulates its production at 800°C. The treatment of CuO/Al₂O₃ solids with different amounts of ZnO increases their specific surface area and total pore volume and hinders their sintering (the activation energy of sintering increases from 30 to 58 kJ mol⁻¹ in presence of 7.71 wt% ZnO). This treatment resulted in a progressive decrease in the catalytic activities of the investigated solids but increased their catalytic durability. Zinc and copper oxides present did not modify the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction but changed the concentration of catalytically active constituents (surface CuO crystallites) without changing their energetic nature.     

A comparative study of supported MoO3 catalysts prepared by the new “slurry” impregnation method and by the conventional method: their activity in transesterification of dimethyl oxalate and phenol

A new preparation method for supported MoO₃ catalyst, slurry impregnation, has been described and compared with the conventional impregnation method. Slurry MoO₃/water is used instead of the solution ammonium heptamolybdate, AHM [(NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄]. The MoO₃/γ-alumina, MoO₃/active carbon, and MoO₃/silica catalysts with different Mo loadings were prepared by slurry and by conventional method. The low solubility of MoO₃ was sufficient to transport molybdenum species from solid MoO₃ to the adsorbed phase. The equilibrium was achieved after several hours at 95 °C based on the loading amount of molybdenum. Only the process of drying was needed; calcination was not necessary and was left out. This is an important advantage for active carbon support because oxidative degradation of active carbon impregnated by molybdena starts at a relatively low temperature of about 250 °C during calcination on air. The activity was tested in the transesterification of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) and phenol at 180 °C. The dependences of catalytic activity on Mo loadings for the slurry prepared catalysts were similar to the dependences for the samples prepared by the conventional impregnation method with AHM. The activities of the slurry impregnation MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were almost the same as those of catalysts prepared conventionally. Although the performances of slurry impregnation MoO₃/SiO₂ catalysts for transesterification of DMO were slightly better than those of the corresponding catalysts prepared by conventional impregnation, no waste solution and no calcining nitrogenous gases were produced. Therefore, we conclude that the new slurry impregnation method for preparation of supported molybdenum catalysts is an environmentally friendly process and a simple, clean alternative to the conventional preparation using solutions of (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄. The present work will lead to a remarkable improvement in the catalyst preparation for the transesterification reaction.     

Enthalpy recovery of gases issued from H2 production processes: Activity and stability of oxide and noble metal catalysts in oxidation reaction under highly severe conditions

Oxidation activity and stability under reaction was investigated for a series of mixed oxide catalysts, doped or not by a precious metal (Pd, Pt). The reaction feedstock, containing CO, H₂, CH₄, CO₂ and H₂O, simulated gases issued from H₂ production processes for fuel cells. Contrarily to conventional noble metal catalysts, mixed oxide samples present generally good stability under reaction at high temperature. The activities measured for the perovskite and hexaaluminate catalysts, are however largely lower than that of the reference Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst. High activities were obtained after impregnation of 1.1 wt.% Pd or 0.8 wt.% Pt on the hexaaluminates samples. Even if Pd/Al₂O₃ was found to present a high activity, this sample suffered from drastic deactivation at 700 °C. Better stability were obtained on perovskite. Furthermore, doping hexaaluminate by Pt led to samples with good activities and high stability. Even if better activities were obtained by doping the hexaaluminate samples by Pd, the Pd/BaAl₁₂O₁₉ strongly deactivated, as it was previously observed for the reference catalyst. Interestingly, this Pd deactivation was not observed when Pd was impregnated on the Mn substituted hexaaluminate, leading to a stable and active catalyst. This suggests that it is possible to stabilize the palladium in its oxidized form at high temperature (700 °C) on the surface of some supports.     

Al18B4O33 aluminium borate: A new efficient support for palladium in the high temperature catalytic combustion of methane

Well crystallised aluminium borate Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ has been synthesised from alumina and boric acid with a BET area of 18 m²/g after calcination at 1100 °C. Afterwards, 2 wt.% Pd/Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ was prepared by conventional impregnation of Pd(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution and calcination in air at 500 °C. The catalytic activity of Pd/Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ in the complete oxidation of methane was measured between 300 and 900 °C and compared with that of Pd/Al₂O₃. Pd/Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ exhibited a much lower activity than Pd/Al₂O₃ when treated in hydrogen at 500 °C or aged in O₂/H₂O (90:10) at 800 °C prior to catalytic testing. Surprisingly, a catalytic reaction run up to 900 °C in the reaction mixture induced a steep increase of the catalytic activity of Pd/Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ which became as active as Pd/Al₂O₃. Moreover, the decrease of the catalytic activity observed around 750 °C for Pd/Al₂O₃ and attributed to PdO decomposition into metallic Pd was significantly shifted to higher temperatures (820 °C) in the case of Pd/Al₁₈B₄O₃₃. The existence of two distinct types of PdO species formed on Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ and being, respectively, responsible for the improvement of the activity at low and high temperature was proposed on the basis of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption of O₂.     

Ceria-based oxides as supports for LaCoO3 perovskite; catalysts for total oxidation of VOC

Supported LaCoO₃ perovskites with 10 and 20 wt.% loading were obtained by wet impregnation of different Ce_1−xZr_xO₂ (x = 0–0.3) supports with a solution prepared from La and Co nitrates, and citric acid. Supports were also prepared using the “citrate method”. All materials were calcined at 700 °C for 6 h and investigated by N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, XRD and XPS. XRD patterns and XPS measurements evidenced the formation of a pure perovskite phase, preferentially accumulated at the outer surface. These materials were comparatively tested in benzene and toluene total oxidation in the temperature range 100–500 °C. All catalysts showed a lower T₅₀ than the corresponding Ce_1−xZr_xO₂ supports. Twenty weight percent LaCoO₃ catalysts presented lower T₅₀ than bulk LaCoO₃. In terms of reaction rates per mass unit of perovskite calculated at 300 °C, two facts should be noted (i) the activity order is more than 10 times higher for toluene and (ii) the reverse variation with the loading as a function of the reactant, a better activity being observed for low loadings in the case of benzene. For the same loading, the support composition influences drastically the oxidative abilities of LaCoO₃ by the surface area and the oxygen mobility.     

Highly active sulfided CoMo catalyst on nano-structured TiO2

High surface area (>300 m² g⁻¹) nano-structured TiO₂ oxides (ns-T) were used as CoMo hydrodesulfurization catalyst support. Cylindrical extrudates were impregnated by incipient wetness with Mo (2.8 Mo at. nm⁻²) and Co (atomic ratio Co/(Co + Mo) = 0.3). Characterization of impregnated precursors was carried out by N₂ physisorption, XRD and atomic absorption and laser-Raman spectroscopies. Sulfided catalysts (400 °C, H₂S/H₂) were studied by X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy. As indicated by XRD and after various preparation steps (extrusion, Mo and Co impregnation and sulfiding) the nano-structured material was well preserved. XPS analyses showed that Co and Mo dispersion over the ns-T support was much higher than that on alumina. Very high surface S concentration suggested that even ns-T was partially sulfided during catalyst activation. Dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization activity (5.73 MPa, 320 °C, n-hexadecane as solvent) of CoMo/ns-T was two-fold to that of an alumina-supported commercial CoMo catalyst. The improvement was even more remarkable in intrinsic pseudo kinetic constant basis. No important differences in selectivity over the catalysts supported on either Al₂O₃ or ns-T were observed, where direct desulfurization to biphenyl was favored. Both Mo dispersion and sulfidability were enhanced on the ns-T support where Mo⁴⁺ fraction was notably increased (100%) as to that found on CoMo/Al₂O₃.     

Synthesis, densification and electrical properties of strontium cerate ceramics

Powders of pure and 5% ytterbium substituted strontium cerate (SrCeO₃/SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ) were prepared by spray pyrolysis of nitrate salt solutions. The powders were single phase after calcination in nitrogen atmosphere at 1100 °C (SrCeO₃) and 1200 °C (SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ). Dense SrCeO₃ and SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ materials were obtained by sintering at 1350–1400 °C in air. Heat treatment at 850 and 1000 °C, respectively, was necessary prior to sintering to obtain high density. The dense materials had homogenous microstructures with grain size in the range 6–10 μm for SrCeO₃ and 1–2 μm for SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ. The electrical conductivity of SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3−δ was in good agreement with reported data, showing mixed ionic–electronic conduction. The ionic contribution was dominated by protons below 1000 °C and the proton conductivity reached a maximum of 0.005 S/cm above 900 °C. In oxidizing atmosphere the p-type electronic conduction was dominating above 700 °C, while the contribution from n-type electronic conduction only was significant above 1000 °C in reducing atmosphere.     

Preparation of hollow alumina microspheres by microwave-induced plasma pyrolysis of atomized precursor solution

Hollow alumina microspheres have been prepared by microwave-induced (MI) plasma pyrolysis of atomized aerosols of precursor solutions and subsequent calcination at 1300 °C for 2 h. When an aqueous solution of 0.5 mol dm⁻³ Al(NO₃)₃ without any additives was used as a precursor, hollow -Al₂O₃ microspheres with a thick shell wall were prepared after post-calcination at 1300 °C. The addition of a polypropylene (PO)–polyethylene(EO) blockcopolymer (molecular weight: 2900–6500) to the precursor solution was effective for increasing the yield of hollow microspheres, but resulted in the formation of many cracks and holes in the thinned shell wall. Hollow alumina microspheres with a thin, but strong, shell layer could be prepared by the simultaneous addition of tetraethylorthosilicate.     

Processing of hot pressed Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr-carbide nanocomposite prepared by MOCVD in fluidized bed

Nanosized particles dispersed uniformly on Al₂O₃ particles were prepared from the decomposition of precursor Cr(CO)₆ by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in a fluidized chamber. These nanosized particles consisted of Cr₂O₃, CrC_1−x, and C. A solid solution of Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ and an Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃/Cr₃C₂ nanocomposite were formed when these fluidized powders were pre-sintered at 1000 and 1150 °C before hot-pressing at 1400 °C, respectively. In addition, an Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃/Cr-carbide (Cr₃C₂ and Cr₇C₃) nanocomposite was formed when the particles were directly hot pressed at 1400 °C. The interface between Cr₃C₂ and Al₂O₃ is non-coherent, while the interface between Cr₇C₃ and Al₂O₃ is semi-coherent.     

Catalytic activation of ceramic filter elements for combined particle separation, NOx removal and VOC total oxidation

The development of a catalytically active filter element for combined particle separation and NO_x removal or VOC total oxidation, respectively, is presented. For NO_x removal by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) a catalytic coating based on a TiO₂–V₂O₅–WO₃ catalyst system was developed on a ceramic filter element. Different TiO₂ sols of tailor-made mean particle size between 40 and 190 nm were prepared by the sol–gel process and used for the impregnation of filter element cylinders by the incipient wetness technique. The obtained TiO₂-impregnated sintered filter element cylinders exhibit BET surface areas in the range between 0.5 and 1.3 m²/g. Selected TiO₂-impregnated filter element cylinders of high BET surface area were catalytically activated by impregnation with a V₂O₅ and WO₃ precursor solution. The obtained catalytic filter element cylinders show high SCR activity leading to 96% NO conversion at 300 °C, a filtration velocity of 2 cm/s and an NO inlet concentration of 500 vol.-ppm. The corresponding differential pressures fulfill the requirements for typical hot gas filtration applications. For VOC total oxidation, a TiO₂-impregnated filter element support was catalytically activated with a Pt/V₂O₅ system. Complete oxidation of propene with 100% selectivity to CO₂ was achieved at 300 °C, a filtration velocity of 2 cm/s and a propene inlet concentration of 300 vol.-ppm.     

Application of Ce0.33Zr0.63Pr0.04O2-supported noble metal catalysts in the catalytic wet air oxidation of 2-chlorophenol: Influence of the reaction conditions

In this work, different procedures, namely carbonate coprecipitation and modified solid–solid diffusion, were used to prepare hexaaluminate samples, unsupported or supported onto θ-Al₂O₃. These samples were used as catalyst for the methane total oxidation as synthesized or after impregnation of 1 wt% Pd. It was observed that the modified solid–solid diffusion procedure is an efficient method to obtain the hexaaluminate structure. At a theoretical ratio x of hexaaluminate onto Al₂O₃ less than 0.6 (xLa_0.2Sr_0.3Ba_0.5MnAl₁₁O₁₉ + (1−x)·Al₂O₃, with x = 0.25, 0.60), samples with high specific surface area and θ-Al₂O₃ structure are then obtained. Large differences in catalytic activity can be observed among the series of sample synthesized. All the pure oxide samples (i.e. without palladium) present low catalytic activity for methane total oxidation compared to a reference Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The highest activity was obtained for the samples presenting a θ-Al₂O₃ structure (with x = 0.60) and a high surface area. Impregnation of 1 wt% palladium resulted in an increase in catalytic activity, for all the solids synthesized in this work. Even if the lowest light-off temperature was obtained on the reference sample, similar methane conversions at high temperature (700 °C) were obtained on the stabilized θ-Al₂O₃ solids (x = 0.25, 0.60). Moreover, the reference sample is found to strongly deactivate with reaction time at the temperature of test (700 °C), due to a progressive reduction of the PdO_x active phase into the less active Pd° phase, whereas excellent stabilities in reaction were obtained on the pure and palladium-doped hexaaluminate and supported θ-Al₂O₃ samples. This clearly showed the beneficial effect of the support for the stabilization of the PdO_x active phase at high reaction temperature. These properties are discussed in term of oxygen transfer from the support to the palladium particle. Oxygen transfer is directly related to the Mn³⁺/Mn²⁺ redox properties (in the case of the hexaaluminate and stabilized θ-Al₂O₃ samples), that allows a fast reoxidation of the metal palladium sites since palladium sites reoxidation cannot occur directly by gaseous dioxygen adsorption and dissociation on the surface.     

Formation of Y3Al5O12–Al2O3 eutectic microstructure with off-eutectic composition

Homogeneous-eutectic microstructure of Y₃Al₅O₁₂–Al₂O₃ system without coarse primary crystals was formed at an off-eutectic composition. This method utilizes a low migration rate in an amorphous phase. A mixture of Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ having the off-eutectic composition was melted and quenched rapidly to form an amorphous phase. A heat-treatment of the amorphous phase at 1000 °C and 1300 °C for 30 min formed Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Al₂O₃ phases. SEM observation of this material, which was formed from the amorphous phase at 1300 °C for 30 min, showed homogeneous eutectic-like microstructure. The formation of the primary crystals (coarse Al₂O₃), which are always observed in the off-eutectic compositions by ordinary method, was completely suppressed.     

Investigation of CoNiMo/Al2O3 catalysts: Relationship between H2S adsorption and HDS activity

Sulfidation of trimetallic CoNiMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts was studied by thermogravimetry at 400 °C under flow and pressure conditions. Results were compared with those obtained on prepared and industrial CoMo/Al₂O₃ and NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The amount of sorbed H₂S on the sulfided solids was measured at 300 °C in the H₂S pressure range 0–3.5 MPa at constant H₂ pressure (3.8 MPa). The adsorption isotherms were simulated using a model featuring dissociated adsorption of H₂S on supported metal sulfides and bare alumina. The amount of sulfur-vacancy sites could thus be determined under conditions close to industrial practice. A relationship with activity results for thiophene HDS and benzene hydrogenation was sought for.     

Catalytic performance of Co3O4/CeO2 and Co3O4/CeO2–ZrO2 composite oxides for methane combustion: Influence of catalyst pretreatment temperature and oxygen concentration in the reaction mixture

The influence of catalyst pre-treatment temperature (650 and 750 °C) and oxygen concentration (λ = 8 and 1) on the light-off temperature of methane combustion has been investigated over two composite oxides, Co₃O₄/CeO₂ and Co₃O₄/CeO₂–ZrO₂ containing 30 wt.% of Co₃O₄. The catalytic materials prepared by the co-precipitation method were calcined at 650 °C for 5 h (fresh samples); a portion of them was further treated at 750 °C for 7 h, in a furnace in static air (aged samples).

Tests of methane combustion were carried out on fresh and aged catalysts at two different WHSV values (12 000 and 60 000 mL g⁻¹ h⁻¹). The catalytic performance of Co₃O₄/CeO₂ and Co₃O₄/CeO₂–ZrO₂ were compared with those of two pure Co₃O₄ oxides, a sample obtained by the precipitation method and a commercial reference. Characterization studies by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) show that the catalytic activity is related to the dispersion of crystalline phases, Co₃O₄/CeO₂ and Co₃O₄/CeO₂–ZrO₂ as well as to their reducibility. Particular attention was paid to the thermal stability of the Co₃O₄ phase in the temperature range of 750–800 °C, in both static (in a furnace) and dynamic conditions (continuous flow). The results indicate that the thermal stability of the phase Co₃O₄ heated up to 800 °C depends on the size of the cobalt oxide crystallites (fresh or aged samples) and on the oxygen content (excess λ = 8, stoichiometric λ = 1) in the reaction mixture. A stabilizing effect due to the presence of ceria or ceria–zirconia against Co₃O₄ decomposition into CoO was observed.

Moreover, the role of ceria and ceria–zirconia is to maintain a good combustion activity of the cobalt composite oxides by dispersing the active phase Co₃O₄ and by promoting the reduction at low temperature.     

Surface and catalytic properties of Cr2O3/MgO system doped with manganese and cobalt oxides

The effects of cobalt and manganese oxides-doping on surface and catalytic properties of Cr₂O₃/MgO system have been investigated. The dopant concentration was changed between 1 and 5 mol% cobalt and manganese oxides. Pure and variously doped solids were subjected to heat treatment at 400 and 700 °C. The techniques employed were X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption at –196 °C, catalytic conversion of iso-propanol at 200–400 °C using flow technique and catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ at 20–40 °C. The results revealed that the doping process of the system investigated followed by calcinations at 400 or 700 °C, enhanced the solid–solid interactions between catalyst constituents yielding (-MgCrO₄, β-MgCrO₄) and MgCr₂O₄, respectively. Furthermore, manganese and cobalt oxide-doping for Cr₂O₃/MgO system increased its catalytic activity much towards H₂O₂-decomposition. The increase was, however, more pronounced in the case of manganese-doping. Opposite results have been observed in the case of iso-propanol conversion, which proceeds via dehydrogenation and dehydration reaction. The S_BET of the investigated system was found to decrease by increasing the dopant concentration. The doping process did not modify the activation energy of the catalyzed reaction, but rather changed the concentration of the catalytically active constituents without changing their energetic nature.     

CNG engines exhaust gas treatment via Pd-Spinel-type-oxide catalysts

Four spinel-type catalysts AB₂O₄ (CoCr₂O₄, MnCr₂O₄, MgFe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄) were prepared and characterized by XRD, BET, TEM and FESEM techniques. The activity of these catalysts towards the combustion of methane was evaluated in a temperature-programmed combustion (TPC) apparatus. Spinel-type-oxides containing Cr at the B site were found to provide the best results. The half-conversion temperature of methane over the CoCr₂O₄ catalyst was 376 °C with a W/F = 0.12 g s/cm⁻³. On the basis of temperature-programmed oxygen desorption (TPD) analysis as well as of catalytic combustion runs, the prevalent activity of the CoCr₂O₄ catalyst could be explained by its higher capability to deliver suprafacial, weakly chemisorbed oxygen species. This catalyst, promoted by the presence of 1 wt% of palladium deposited by wet impregnation, was lined on cordierite monoliths and then tested in a lab-scale test rig. The combination of Pd and CoCr₂O₄ catalysts enables half methane conversion at 330 °C (GHSV = 10,000 h⁻¹), a performance similar to that of conventional 4 wt% Pd-γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts but enabled with just a four-fold lower amount of noble metal.     

CO2 absorption and regeneration of alkali metal-based solid sorbents

Potassium-based sorbents were prepared by impregnation with potassium carbonate on supports such as activated carbon (AC), TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂ and various zeolites. The CO₂ capture capacity and regeneration property were measured in the presence of H₂O in a fixed-bed reactor, during multiple cycles at various temperature conditions (CO₂ capture at 60 °C and regeneration at 130–400 °C). Sorbents such as K₂CO₃/AC, K₂CO₃/TiO₂, K₂CO₃/MgO, and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃, which showed excellent CO₂ capture capacity, could be completely regenerated above 130, 130, 350, and 400 °C, respectively. The decrease in the CO₂ capture capacity of K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO, after regeneration at temperatures of less than 200 °C, could be explained through the formation of KAl(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, K₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and K₂Mg(CO₃)₂·4(H₂O), which did not completely converted to the original K₂CO₃ phase. In the case of K₂CO₃/AC and K₂CO₃/TiO₂, a KHCO₃ crystal structure was formed during CO₂ absorption, unlike K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO. This phase could be easily converted into the original phase during regeneration, even at a low temperature (130 °C). Therefore, the formation of the KHCO₃ crystal structure after CO₂ absorption is an important factor for regeneration, even at the low temperature. The nature of support plays an important role for CO₂ absorption and regeneration capacities. In particular, the K₂CO₃/TiO₂ sorbent showed excellent characteristics in CO₂ absorption and regeneration in that it satisfies the requirements of a large amount of CO₂ absorption (mg CO₂/g sorbent) and fast and complete regeneration at a low temperature condition (1 atm, 150 °C).     

High-throughput preparation and testing of MoNbSbV mixed oxide catalysts for direct oxidation of propane to acrylic and acetic acids

An automated robotic method using a solution at pH=2 containing four precursor salts dissolved has been developed and validated for high-throughput preparation of Mo, Nb, Sb and V mixed metal oxide solids, which are known to be selective for propane oxidation to acrylic (AA) and acetic (AcA) acids. Spherical shaped silica beads of exceptionally narrow size distribution were synthesised using oil drop technique from a Brace™ instrument. Automated impregnation of the beads by the previous solution has been developed and validated. Catalytic studies were performed using a conventional micro-reactor system with an Ultra-Fast™ GC analysis (<2 min against >30 min). After calcination of the samples under either N₂ or air at 873 K, a mixture of phases was obtained, such as VSbO₄, Mo_xM_1−xO_2.8 (M=V and/or Nb), Sb₄₍₂₎Mo₁₀O₃₁, and other minor phases, such as MoO₃ if activated in air. Mixed oxide samples calcined under N₂ gave better catalytic activity and selectivity to AA/AcA compared to those calcined under air. Measures of catalytic performance of 16 supposedly identical materials fell within a ±5% range of the median values, showing that our experimental set-up is relevant to combinatorial studies. By preparing 15 samples of different chemical composition, optimum catalytic performance was found to correspond to Mo_0.55 Nb_0.09 Sb_0.18V_0.18 mixed oxide calcined at 773 K under N₂, containing a mixture of phases, in particular Mo_xM_1−xO_2.8 and Sb₂Mo₁₀O₃₁, similarly to the M1 and M2 phases observed for MoNbTeV mixed oxide catalysts.     

A regenerable Fe/AC desulfurizer for SO2 adsorption at low temperatures

A novel regenerable Fe/activated coke (AC) desulfurizer prepared by impregnation of Fe(NO₃)₃ on an activated coke was investigated. Experiment results showed that at 200 °C the SO₂ adsorption capacity of the Fe/AC was higher than that of AC or Fe₂O₃. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) revealed that H₂SO₄ and Fe₂(SO₄)₃ were generated on the desulfurizer upon adsorption of SO₂. Effect of desulfurization temperature was also investigated which revealed that with increasing temperature from 150 to 250 °C, the SO₂ removal ability gradually increases. The used Fe/AC can be regenerated by NH₃ at 350 °C to directly form solid ammonium-sulfate salts.     

Characteristics of La2O3 thin films deposited using metal organic chemical vapor deposition with different oxidant gas

La₂O₃ films were deposited using O₃ and the structural and electrical properties were investigated and compared with those of La₂O₃ films deposited using O₂. The deposition temperature of the La₂O₃ films using O₃ was slightly reduced compared to that of the La₂O₃ films generated using O₂. After a post-annealing process at 600 and 900 °C, the crystallinity of the La₂O₃ films using O₃ were smaller than that using O₂. The leakage current density increased after annealing at 600 °C due to densification and then decreased after annealing at 900 °C due to interfacial layer growth. The effective dielectric constant of the La₂O₃ films deposited using O₃ decreased at 900 °C due to interfacial layer growth. The La₂O₃ films deposited using O₃ showed better structural and electrical properties in this study.