Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper aluminium oxide catalyst for preparing a furfuryl alcohol from a furfural, comprising a copper-alumina spinel structure and having surface area in the range from 0.5 to 5 m2/g; wherein said catalyst is prepared from a process comprising the following steps: (i) dissolving copper salt and aluminium salt in a solvent; (ii) adding organic acid into mixture obtained from step (i); (iii) heating mixture obtained from step (ii) at the temperature higher than 150° C. until said mixture is combusted into solid; and (iv) calcining the solid obtained from step (iii) at the temperature in the range from 700 to 1,000° C. The catalyst according to the invention gives a high conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol and high furfuryl alcohol yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper aluminium oxide catalyst for preparing a furfuryl alcohol from a furfural, comprising a copper-alumina spinel structure and having surface area in the range from 0.5 to 5 m2/g; wherein said catalyst is prepared from a process comprising the following steps: (i) dissolving copper salt and aluminium salt in a solvent; (ii) adding organic acid into mixture obtained from step (i); (iii) heating mixture obtained from step (ii) at the temperature higher than 150° C. until said mixture is combusted into solid; and (iv) calcining the solid obtained from step (iii) at the temperature in the range from 700 to 1,000° C. The catalyst according to the invention gives a high conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol and high furfuryl alcohol yield.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions operable for releasing nitric oxide under photochemical conditions. The compositions include a titanium dioxide nanomaterial and a nitric oxide-releasing compound deposited on the titanium dioxide nanomaterial that is operable to release nitric oxide under photochemical conditions. Titanium dioxide nanomaterials include, for example, titanium dioxide nanotubes. To facilitate the photochemical release of nitric oxide, some embodiments of the compositions further include a semiconductor that is deposited on the titanium dioxide nanotubes. Both the semiconductor and the nitric oxide-releasing compound may be deposited on the interior surface, exterior surface, or both of the titanium dioxide nanotubes. A polymer may wrap the titanium dioxide nanotubes to protect the nitric oxide-releasing compounds from moisture. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing such compositions and medical devices obtained therefrom.

Abstract: Plasma modifications of catalyst supports before and after impregnation of metal precursors improve the activity, selectivity and stability of catalysts, e.g. Ni catalysts for benzene hydrogenation and Pd catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene. Plasma modification of the support before impregnation is slightly more effective than the plasma modification after impregnation. However, plasma modifications after impregnation increase the stability and selectivity of catalysts more effectively. The economic benefit of much improved stability of Ni catalysts for hydrogenation of benzene and the enhanced activity and selectivity of Pd catalysts for acetylene hydrogenation, e.g., is significant. Similar benefits for various catalysts and other industrial processes via RF plasma techniques are expected.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions operable for releasing nitric oxide under photochemical conditions. The compositions include a titanium dioxide nanomaterial and a nitric oxide-releasing compound deposited on the titanium dioxide nanomaterial that is operable to release nitric oxide under photochemical conditions. Titanium dioxide nanomaterials include, for example, titanium dioxide nanotubes. To facilitate the photochemical release of nitric oxide, some embodiments of the compositions further include a semiconductor that is deposited on the titanium dioxide nanotubes. Both the semiconductor and the nitric oxide-releasing compound may be deposited on the interior surface, exterior surface, or both of the titanium dioxide nanotubes. A polymer may wrap the titanium dioxide nanotubes to protect the nitric oxide-releasing compounds from moisture. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing such compositions and medical devices obtained therefrom.

Abstract: Plasma modifications of catalyst supports before and after impregnation of metal precursors improve the activity, selectivity and stability of catalysts, e.g. Ni catalysts for benzene hydrogenation and Pd catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene. Plasma modification of the support before impregnation is slightly more effective than the plasma modification after impregnation. However, plasma modifications after impregnation increase the stability and selectivity of catalysts more effectively. The economic benefit of much improved stability of Ni catalysts for hydrogenation of benzene and the enhanced activity and selectivity of Pd catalysts for acetylene hydrogenation, e.g., is significant. Similar benefits for various catalysts and other industrial processes via RF plasma techniques are expected.

Abstract: Plasma modifications of catalyst supports before and after impregnation of metal precursors improve the activity, selectivity and stability of catalysts, e.g. Ni catalysts for benzene hydrogenation and Pd catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene. Plasma modification of the support before impregnation is slightly more effective than the plasma modification after impregnation. However, plasma modifications after impregnation increase the stability and selectivity of catalysts more effectively. The economic benefit of much improved stability of Ni catalysts for hydrogenation of benzene and the enhanced activity and selectivity of Pd catalysts for acetylene hydrogenation, e.g., is significant. Similar benefits for various catalysts and other industrial processes via RF plasma techniques are expected.