Catalytic oxidation of CS2 over atmospheric particles and oxide catalysts

The catalytic oxidization of CS₂ over atmospheric particles and some oxide catalysts was explored through FT-IR, MS and a fixed-bed stainless steel reactor. The results show that atmospheric particles and some oxide catalysts exhibited considerable oxidizing activities for CS₂ at ambient temperature. The reaction products are mainly COS and elemental sulfur, even CO₂ on some catalysts. Among the catalysts, CaO has the strongest catalytic activity for oxidizing CS₂. Fe₂O₃ is weaker than CaO. The catalytic activity for Al₂O₃ reduces considerably compared with the former two catalysts, and SiO₂ the weakest. Atmospheric particle samples’ catalytic activity is between Fe₂O₃’s and Al₂O₃’s. The atmospheric particle sample collected mainly consists of Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈) · 4H₂O, which is also the main component of cement. COS, the main product, is formed by the catalytic oxidization of CS₂ with adsorbed “molecular” oxygen over the catalysts’ surfaces. The concentration of adsorbed oxygen over catalysts’ surfaces may be the key factor contributed to the oxidizing activity. It is indicated that CS₂ could be catalytically oxidized over atmospheric particles, which induced that this reaction may be another important source of atmospheric COS from CS₂.     

Catalytic oxidation of CS2 over atmospheric particles and oxide catalysts

The catalytic oxidization of CS₂ over atmospheric particles and some oxide catalysts was explored through FT-IR, MS and a fixed-bed stainless steel reactor. The results show that atmospheric particles and some oxide catalysts exhibited considerable oxidizing activities for CS₂ at ambient temperature. The reaction products are mainly COS and elemental sulfur, even CO₂ on some catalysts. Among the catalysts, CaO has the strongest catalytic activity for oxidizing CS₂. Fe₂O₃ is weaker than CaO. The catalytic activity for Al₂O₃ reduces considerably compared with the former two catalysts, and SiO₂ the weakest. Atmospheric particle samples’ catalytic activity is between Fe₂O₃’s and Al₂O₃’s. The atmospheric particle sample collected mainly consists of Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈) · 4H₂O, which is also the main component of cement. COS, the main product, is formed by the catalytic oxidization of CS₂ with adsorbed “molecular” oxygen over the catalysts’ surfaces. The concentration of adsorbed oxygen over catalysts’ surfaces may be the key factor contributed to the oxidizing activity. It is indicated that CS₂ could be catalytically oxidized over atmospheric particles, which induced that this reaction may be another important source of atmospheric COS from CS₂.     

Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for CO methanation: Effect of Al2O3 supports calcined at different temperatures

The correlation between phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports calcined at different temperatures and the catalytic performance of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) via CO methanation was systematically investigated. A series of 10 wt% NiO/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the conventional impregnation method, and the phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports were adjusted by calcining the commercial γ-Al₂O₃ at different temperatures (600–1200 °C). CO methanation reaction was carried out in the temperature range of 300–600 °C at different weight hourly space velocities (WHSV = 30000 and 120000 mL·g^?1·h^?1) and pressures (0.1 and 3.0 MPa). It was found that high calcination temperature not only led to the growth in Ni particle size, but also weakened the interaction between Ni nanoparticles and Al₂O₃ supports due to the rapid decrease of the specific surface area and acidity of Al₂O₃ supports. Interestingly, Ni catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ calcined at 1200 °C (Ni/Al₂O₃-1200) exhibited the best catalytic activity for CO methanation under different reaction conditions. Lifetime reaction tests also indicated that Ni/Al₂O₃-1200 was the most active and stable catalyst compared with the other three catalysts, whose supports were calcined at lower temperatures (600, 800 and 1000 °C). These findings would therefore be helpful to develop Ni/Al₂O₃ methanation catalyst for SNG production.     

Catalytic behavior of decomposed molybdophosphoric acid supported on alumina for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) to ethylene was investigated over a series of alumina supported molybdophosphoric acid (MPA) catalysts. The MPA was transformed into surface Mo oxides on Al₂O₃ when subjected to calcination at 600°C. The catalysts were characterized by N₂-adsorption, XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy and TPR techniques. The results showed that MPA loading and the source of Mo precursor had a clear influence on the catalytic performance. The evaluation of the catalysts for ODHE at temperatures between 450 and 550°C revealed superior ethane conversion (X～24%) and ethylene selectivity (S = ca. 65%) over 20 wt % MPA/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The transformation of MPA into finely dispersed Mo oxides on Al₂O₃ appeared to be responsible for this improved performance.     

Decomposition of methane over alumina supported Fe and Ni–Fe bimetallic catalyst: Effect of preparation procedure and calcination temperature

Catalytic decomposition of methane has been studied extensively as the production of hydrogen and formation of carbon nanotube is proven crucial from the scientific and technological point of view. In that context, variation of catalyst preparation procedure, calcination temperature and use of promoters could significantly alter the methane conversion, hydrogen yield and morphology of carbon nanotubes formed after the reaction. In this work, Ni promoted and unpromoted Fe/Al₂O₃ catalysts have been prepared by impregnation, sol–gel and co-precipitation method with calcination at two different temperatures. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ physisorption, temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The catalytic activity was tested for methane decomposition reaction. The catalytic activity was high when calcined at 500 °C temperature irrespective of the preparation method. However while calcined at high temperature the catalyst prepared by impregnation method showed a high activity. It is found from XRD and TPR characterization that disordered iron oxides supported on alumina play an important role for dissociative chemisorptions of methane generating molecular hydrogen. The transmission electron microscope technique results of the spent catalysts showed the formation of carbon nanotube which is having length of 32–34 nm. The Fe nanoparticles are present on the tip of the carbon nanotube and nanotube grows by contraction–elongation mechanism. Among three different methodologies impregnation method was more effective to generate adequate active sites in the catalyst surface. The Ni promotion enhances the reducibility of Fe/Al₂O₃ oxides showing a higher catalytic activity. The catalyst is stable up to six hours on stream as observed in the activity results.     

Reactivity of cyclohexene using ordered mesoporous materials based on calcined CoFeAl hydrotalcite-supported CoMo catalysts

Co²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ tertiary hydrotalcite-type solids were synthesized, calcined and impregnated with Mo (15 wt% MoO₃) and Co (3Mo:Co) in order to get different catalytic precursors: CoMo/CoFeAl. As-synthesized hydrotalcites and their catalytic precursors were characterized by different physicochemical techniques, such as: X-ray fluorescence, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms (BET specific surface area, BJH pore volume and diameter), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide. These CoMo/CoFeAl catalytic precursors were previously pre-sulfided with CS₂ and tested in the cyclohexene hydrogenation reaction. Results indicated that these sulfide catalysts showed very low activity in comparison with the conventional CoMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst used as reference, possibly to their high basicity. These catalysts could have the advantage of retaining the octane number of gasoline, by low hydrogenation of olefins.     

Influence of Support Type and Metal Loading in Methane Decomposition over Iron Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

Natural gas resources, stimulate the method of catalytic methane decomposition. Hydrogen is a superb energy carrier and integral component of the present energy systems, while carbon nanotubes exhibit remarkable chemical and physical properties. The reaction was run at 700 °C in a fixed bed reactor. Catalyst calcination and reduction were done at 500 °C. MgO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ supported catalysts were prepared using a co‐precipitation method. Catalysts of different iron loadings were characterized with BET, TGA, XRD, H₂‐TPR and TEM. The catalyst characterization revealed the formation of multi‐walled nanotubes. Alternatively, time on stream tests of supported catalyst at 700 °C revealed the relative profiles of methane conversions increased as the %Fe loading was increased. Higher %Fe loadings decreased surface area of the catalyst. Iron catalyst supported with Al₂O₃ exhibited somewhat higher catalytic activity compared with MgO and TiO₂ supported catalysts when above 35% Fe loading was used. CH₄ conversion of 69% was obtained utilizing 60% Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Alternatively, Fe/MgO catalysts gave the highest initial conversions when iron loading below 30% was employed. Indeed, catalysts with 15% Fe/MgO gave 63% conversion and good stability for 1 h time on stream. Inappropriateness of Fe/TiO₂ catalysts in the catalytic methane decomposition was observed.     

Sol gel derived Pd/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as catalysts for methane combustion: effect of zirconium loading

A series of Pd/Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ materials have been prepared via sol gel method as an attractive route to obtain more homogeneous binary oxides Al₂O₃–ZrO₂. A Zr loading between 2 and 15 wt% was used to investigate the Zr promotion of Pd/Al₂O₃ materials. The prepared catalysts were calcined at two different temperatures. Very interesting results have been obtained at low zirconium content. A small amount of Zr is seen to be sufficient to stabilize the activity and to obtain good catalytic performances with developed textural properties compared to conventional catalysts used to oxidize methane. The increase of the zirconium loading is seen to decrease the catalytic activity may be due to the development of tetragonal zirconia phase detected by XRD. Similar effect has been observed after heating catalysts at high temperatures. A loss in BET surface area and in metal dispersion has been also observed for zirconium rich catalysts. A contradictory effect on textural and structural properties is seen after their calcination at 700 °C.     

Effects of Ethanol Impregnation on the Catalytic Properties of Silica-Supported Cobalt Catalysts

Silca-supported Co₃O₄ (6 wt% as Co) catalysts were prepared by pore volume impregnation of ethanol or aqueous cobalt nitrate solutions, and calcined in vacuo to 300 °C. The catalytic performances of these catalysts for oxidation and hydrogenation of CO were examined. All Co₃O₄/SiO₂ catalysts were found to be very active in catalyzing oxidation of CO to CO₂ as compared to a commercial 1 wt% Pt/Al₂O₃. The ethanol-prepared catalysts exhibited higher activity than those of the aqua-prepared catalysts. Pre-calcination of the ethanol-prepared catalysts in oxygen at 600 °C resulted in a dramatic decrease in the activity. Temperature programmed oxidation indicated the presence of carbon deposits on the surface of used catalysts. Infrared spectra showed the continuous generation of CO₂ when these catalysts were exposed to CO. These indicate the primary role of CO disproportionation in catalytic oxidation of CO on Co₃O₄ at low temperature and explain the sharp decrease in activity in the initial period. After reduction at 400 °C, the ethanol-prepared catalysts were also found to be more active in catalyzing hydrogenation of CO, and produced less methane and olefin (C2-C4) fraction. Higher turnover frequencies were observed after high temperature reduction (600 °C) as well, at which ethoxyl groups were removed from silica surface. In both reactions, the enhanced activity for the ethanol-prepared catalysts can not be fully accounted for by the increase in the dispersion of Co₃O₄ or CO metal. This suggests that the surface structures of Co₃O₄ or CO were further modified by the carbonaceous species derived from ethanol.     

Effect of Nano‐support and Type of Active Metal on Reforming of CH4 with CO2

Two series of Co and Ni based catalysts supported over commercial (ZrO₂, CeO₂, and Al₂O₃) nano supports were investigated for dry reforming of methane. The catalytic activity of both Co and Ni based catalysts were assessed at different reaction temperatures ranging from 500—800 °C; however, for stability the time on stream experiments were conducted at 700 °C for 6 h. Various techniques such as N₂ adsorption‐desorption isotherm, temperature‐programmed reduction (H₂‐TPR), temperature‐programmed desorption (CO₂‐TPD), temperature‐programmed oxidation (TPO), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were applied for characterization of fresh and spent catalysts. The catalytic activity and stability tests clearly showed that the performance of catalyst is strongly dependent on type of active metal and support. Furthermore, active metal particle size and Lewis basicity are key factors which have significant influence on catalytic performance. The results indicated that Ni supported over nano ZrO₂ exhibited highest activity among all tested catalysts due to its unique properties including thermal stability and reducibility. The minimum carbon deposition and thus relatively stable performance was observed in case of Co‐Al catalyst, since this catalyst has shown highest Lewis basicity.     

Formation of a supported cobalt catalyst for the synthesis of carbon nanofibers on aluminum oxide

Comparative studies of the effect of the physicochemical characteristics of a support (aluminum oxide) on the formation of a supported Co catalyst and its activity in the pyrolysis of alkanes (propane-butane) were performed. The effect of the crystalline modification of alumina on the yield of catalytic filamentous carbon (CFC) ((g CFC)/(g Co)) was studied. The surface morphologies of Co-containing catalysts and synthesized carbon deposits were studied by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that carbon deposits with a well-defined nanofiber structure were synthesized by the pyrolysis of a propane-butane mixture in the presence of hydrogen at 600°C on supported Co catalysts prepared by homogeneous precipitation on macroporous corundum (α-Al₂O₃). The yield of CFC was no higher than 4 (g CFC)/(g Co). On the Co catalyst prepared by homogeneous precipitation on mesoporous Al₂O₃, the intense carbonization of the initial support; the formation of cobalt aluminates; and, as a consequence, the deactivation of Co⁰ as a catalyst of FC synthesis occurred. The dependence of the yield of CFC on the preheating temperature (from 200 to 800°C) of Co catalysts before pyrolysis was studied. It was found that, as the preheating temperature of supported Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts was increased, the amount of synthesized carbon, including CFC, decreased because of Co⁰ deactivation due to the interaction with the support and coke formation.     

Multilayered catalysts for fatty acid ester hydrotreatment into fuel range hydrocarbons

This study aims to investigate Ni–Mo/γAl₂O₃ and Ni–La/Zn-ZSM-5–γAl₂O₃ catalysts, which convert methyl esters into various compounds with a similar composition to those found in diesel fuels. The catalysts were synthesized by impregnation using two different routes and characterized by atomic absorption spectrometry, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and scanning electron microscopy. The acid strength distribution indicates a relatively high concentration of weak acid centers for both materials. The disposal of the catalysts into the reactor system is an important factor for driving the process toward the desired reaction products. The hydrodeoxygenation becomes important and paraffins are formed as intermediaries when Ni–Mo/γAl₂O₃ is first disposed into the reactor, whereas hydrocracking is poor and the dehydrocyclization does not occur in the case of Ni–La/Zn-ZSM-5–γAl₂O₃ as first layer. Triple-layered catalytic systems enhance the production of n-paraffins with high carbon number, mainly C17 and C18, which are important as diesel component. The effect of temperature was also studied and it was found that aromatics are mainly formed over double-layered catalytic systems by varying the temperature. In the case of triple-layered catalysts, the change in the product composition from saturated hydrocarbons with 12–18 carbon atoms to aromatics was observed by increasing the temperature from 420 to 445 °C. An interesting finding by the addition of n-octane in the feed was observed and the considerable increase in C8 aromatics involved the dehydrocyclization that occurred faster than hydrocracking.     

A study of the preparation of solid solutions in the system α-Fe2O3Al2O3

In order to elucidate the formation of precipitated iron catalysts for ammonia synthesis, the formation of solid solutions between α-Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ was studied in the temperature range 500–950°C. The Al₂O₃ content in the solid solutions was found to be below 15 mole%. At temperatures of 800–950°C, solid solutions are formed at an appropriate rate. Specimens with relatively large specific surface areas are obtained at 800°C.     

New high-selectivity hydrogenation catalysts prepared from bimetallic acetate complexes

The catalytic properties of new Pd-Zn/Al₂O₃ catalysts in selective acetylene hydrogenation in an acetylene-ethylene mixture at 30–120°C and atmospheric pressure are reported. The catalysts prepared from the bimetallic complex Pd-Zn(OOCMe)₄(OH₂) are much more selective than the catalysts prepared by simultaneously supporting the homonuclear complexes Pd₃(OOCMe)₆ and Zn(OOCMe)₂ · 2H₂O. It is demonstrated by diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO that the heat treatment of the supported bimetallic complex at 250°C in flowing H₂ yields a Pd-Zn alloy on the surface. It is this alloy that ensures the high selectivity of the Pd-Zn/Al₂O₃ catalysts.     

The preparation of fluoroarenes by the catalytic decarboxylation of aryl fluoroformates

The catalytic decarboxylation of phenyl fluoroformate to fluorobenzene has been achieved with yields of 70–80% in a flow system using alumina or alumina-based catalysts. The reaction occurs in short space times (<1 s) and with optimal efficiency at ca. 300 °C (some 500 °C lower than the temperature required for the thermal decomposition of the fluoroformate). Impregnation of the alumina with a platinum group metal gave the following order of catalytic activity; Pt/Al₂O₃>Pd/Al₂O₃>Rh/Al₂O₃≈Al₂O ₃.2,4,6-Trimethlyphenyl flouroformate, a new material, was found to decarboxylate similarly to give 1-flouro-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, but 4-chlorophenyl flouroformate was noted to produce only low yields (～10%) of the corresponding arly flouride     

Removal of volatile organic compounds from activated carbon by thermal desorption and catalytic combustion

The thermal desorption of saturated activated carbon discharged from an industrial adsorber and catalytic oxidation of desorbed products over a Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst were investigated. The activated carbon is almost completely regenerated by flushing with air at 200°C for 30 min. Desorbed products are fully oxidized over the Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst above 275°C. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Plasma treatment of Ni and Pt catalysts for partial oxidation of methane

Summary In this work DBD (dielectric barrier discharge) plasma treatments of 10%Ni/Al₂O₃and 1%Pt/Al₂O₃catalysts have been conducted to study the principles of plasma treatment of supported catalysts. It was found that 10%Ni/Al₂O₃and 1%Pt/Al₂O₃catalysts treated by plasma exhibit a higher catalytic activity and a better stability than the catalysts prepared without plasma treatment. Methane conversion over the plasma treated catalyst is 3-5% higher than on untreated catalysts. The metal species dispersion also increased after plasma treatment, which leads to improvement of the interaction between active species and supports, the catalytic activities and the resistance to carbon deposition.</o:p>     

Excellent complete conversion activity for methane and CO of Pd/TiO2-Zr0.5Al0.5O1.75 catalyst used in lean-burn natural gas vehicles

Palladium catalysts are supported on TiO₂, ZrO₂, Al₂O₃, Zr_0.5Al_0.5O_1.75 and TiO₂-Zr_0.5Al_0.5O_1.75 prepared by co-precipitation method, respectively. Catalytic activities for methane and CO oxidation are evaluated in a gas mixture that simulated the exhaust from lean-burn natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Pd/TiO₂-Zr_0.5Al_0.5O_1.75 performs the best catalytic activity among the tested five catalysts. For CH₄, the light-off temperature (T₅₀) is 254 °C, and the complete conversion temperature (T₉₀) is 280 °C; for CO, T₅₀ is 84 °C, and T₉₀ was 96 °C. Various techniques, including N₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), H₂-temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are employed to characterize the effect of supports on the physicochemical properties of prepared catalysts. N₂ adsorption-desorption and SEM show that TiO₂-Zr_0.5Al_0.5O_1.75 expresses uniform nano-particles and large meso-pore diameters of 26 nm. H₂-TPR and XRD indicate that PdO is well dispersed on the supports and strongly interacted with each other. The results of XPS show that the electron density around PdO and the proportion of active oxygen on TiO₂-Zr_0.5Al_0.5O_1.75 are maxima among the five supports.     

Monolithic FeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for ammonia oxidation and nitrous oxide decomposition

(1.2–8.3)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ monolith catalysts have been prepared by impregnating alumina with aqueous solutions of iron(III) nitrate and oxalate and have been tested in NH₃ oxidation and in the selective decomposition of N₂O in mixtures resulting from ammonia oxidation over a Pt–Rh gauze pack under conditions of nitric acid synthesis (800–900°C). In the case of the support calcined at 1200°C, the catalyst is dominated by bulk Fe₂O₃ particles localized on the Al₂O₃ surface. The activity of these samples in both reactions decreases with a decreasing active component content, thus limiting the potential of Fe₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 5H₂O, an environmentally friendlier but poorly soluble compound, as a substitute for Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O. Decreasing the support calcination temperature to 1000°C or below leads to the formation of a highly defective Fe–Al–O solid solution in the (1.2–2.7)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The surface layers of the solid solution are enriched with iron ions or stabilize ultrafine FeO_х particles. The catalytic activity of these samples in both reactions is close to the activities measured for ~8%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ samples prepared using iron nitrate.     

Nox Reduction Characteristics for Different Composition Ratios of Pt/Al2O3, Rh/Al2O3 Catalyst Mixtures Using Model Gas as Reformates

This study investigated the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) with hydrocarbon in the presence of excess oxygen using various composition ratios of Pt/Al₂O₃, Rh/Al₂O₃ catalyst mixtures. The composition ratios were 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:3 and 3:1 of 1 wt% Pt/Al₂O₃ and Rh/Al₂O₃, which are known to exhibit efficient NO_x reduction at low and high temperatures among the noble metal catalysts. Experiments conducted on a single reductant revealed that more efficient NO_x conversion could be obtained when Pt/Al₂O₃ and Rh/Al₂O₃ were mixed at a ratio of 3:1, rather than 1:1 or 1:3. In a single reductant condition, C₃H₆ 800 ppm (2400 ppmC₁) and 400 ppm (1200 ppmC₁) exhibited 50% and 38% NO_x conversion efficiency at 200°C, respectively. However, NO_x conversion efficiency gradually decreased when temperatures were increased above 250°C. With regard to Pt/Al₂O₃ and Rh/Al₂O₃ ratio, higher ratios of Rh/Al₂O₃ activated this Pt+Rh/Al₂O₃ catalyst in the high temperature range.