Abstract: Organically complexed nanocatalyst compositions are applied to or mixed with a carbon-containing fuel (e.g., tobacco, coal, briquetted charcoal, biomass, or a liquid hydrocarbon like fuel oils or gasoline) in order to enhance combustion properties of the fuel. Nanocatalyst compositions can be applied to or mixed with a solid fuel substrate in order to reduce the amount of CO, hydrocarbons and soot produced by the fuel during combustion. In addition, coal can be treated with inventive nanocatalyst compositions to reduce the amount of NOx produced during combustion (e.g., by removing coal nitrogen in a low oxygen pre-combustion zone of a low NOx burner). The nanocatalyst compositions include nanocatalyst particles made using a dispersing agent. They can be formed as a stable suspension to facilitate storage, transportation and application of the catalyst nanoparticles to a fuel substrate.

Abstract: Tobacco products and articles are disclosed that include a nanoparticle catalyst. The nanoparticles are capable of degrading undesirable small molecules in tobacco smoke. The nanoparticle catalyst includes a dispersing agent that inhibits the deactivation of the nanoparticle catalyst. One embodiment disclosed has a dispersing agent that anchors the nanoparticles to a support material thereby preventing agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The dispersed nanoparticles exhibit higher activity and reduce the required loading in the tobacco material.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles formed from a plurality of two or more different components. The two or more components are dispersed using a dispersing agent such that the nanoparticles have a substantially uniform distribution of the two or more components. The dispersing agents can be poly functional small organic molecules, polymers, or oligomers, or salts of these. The molecules of the dispersing agent bind to the particle atoms to overcome like-component attractions, thereby allowing different and/or dissimilar components to form heterogeneous nanoparticles. In one embodiment, dissimilar components such as iron and platinum are complexed using the dispersing agent to form substantially uniform heterogeneous nanoparticles. Methods are also disclosed for making the multicomponent nanoparticles. The methods include forming suspensions of two or more components complexed with the dispersing agent molecules. The suspensions can also be deposited on a support material and/or anchored to the support.

Abstract: Nanoparticles include a plurality of two or more dissimilar components selected from the group of noble metals, base transition metals, alkali earth metals, and rare earth metals and/or different groups of the periodic table of elements. The two or more dissimilar components are dispersed using a dispersing agent such that the nanoparticles have a substantially uniform distribution of the two or more dissimilar components. The dispersing agents can be poly functional small organic molecules, polymers, or oligomers, or salts of these. The molecules of the dispersing agent bind to the particle atoms to overcome same-component attractions, thereby allowing dissimilar components to form heterogeneous nanoparticles. Dissimilar components such as iron and platinum can be complexed using the dispersing agent to form substantially uniform heterogeneous nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can be used alone or applied to a support. At least a portion of the dispersing agent can be removed by reduction and/or oxidation.

Abstract: Supported catalysts include a solid support such as silica that is functionalized to have inorganic acid functional groups attached thereto. Active catalyst particles are supported on the functionalized support material. The acid functionalized support material is made by reacting a solid support with an inorganic acid containing agent such as sulfuric acid or para-toluene sulfonic acid. An organic anchoring agent is used to form and anchor catalyst nanoparticles to the acid functionalized support material. The supported catalyst can be sized and shaped for use in any type of reactor, including a fixed bed or fluidized bed reactor. The methods of the present invention also include a process for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide using the supported catalyst.

Abstract: Supported reactive catalysts having a controlled coordination structure and methods for their production are disclosed. The supported catalysts of the present invention are useful for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide with high selectivity in addition to other chemical conversion reactions. The supported catalyst comprises catalyst particles having top or outer layer of atoms in which at least a portion of the atoms exhibit a controlled coordination number of 2. The catalyst and methods may be used for the concurrent in situ and ex situ conversion of organic compounds. In addition, a process is provided for catalytically producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen feeds by contacting them with the catalysts of the invention and a suitable organic liquid solvent having a Solvent Selection Parameter (SSP) between 0.14×10?4 and 5.0×10?4.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the direct catalytic production of aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a small amount of one or more water soluble organic additives (about 0.1-10% by weight). Suitable catalysts include nanometer-sized noble metal catalytic crystal particles. The catalyst particles preferably have a controlled surface coordination number of 2 to increase the selectivity of hydrogen peroxide production. The water soluble additive(s) increases catalytic activity causing significant increases in the apparent first order reaction rate constant for the direct production of aqueous hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Supported reactive catalysts having a controlled coordination structure and methods for their production are disclosed. The supported catalysts of the present invention are useful for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide with high selectivity in addition to other chemical conversion reactions. The supported catalyst comprises catalyst particles having top or outer layer of atoms in which at least a portion of the atoms exhibit a controlled coordination number of 2. The catalyst and methods may be used for the concurrent in situ and ex situ conversion of organic compounds. In addition, a process is provided for catalytically producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen feeds by contacting them with the catalysts of the invention and a suitable organic liquid solvent having a Solvent Selection Parameter (SSP) between 0.14×10?4 and 5.0×10?4.