Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a crystalline compound having an empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.4.yH.sub.2 O where A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca and Ba, x ranges from 0.99 to about 0.7 and y ranges from 0 to 0.15. The process comprises adding a solution of the appropriate metal salts to a solution of ammonium hydroxide thereby precipitating a hydroxide gel intermediate, which is dried and calcined in air to yield the resultant crystalline compound which has a huttonite structure. Additionally, this invention relates to a process for the preparation of a ceramic powder having the empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.3, where A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca and Ba, and x ranges from 0.99 to about 0.7. Finally, a ceramic composition having the empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.4.yH.sub.2 O having a huttonite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gaseous oxygen and measuring the amount present. In the practice of the invention, luminescence from a luminophor compound is quenched by oxygen. The luminiphor is a conjugated aromatic carbonyl. The intensity of the emitted light is related to the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere surrounding the conjugated aromatic carbonyl compound. The luminophor compound is located on a polar substrate having free hydroxyl groups at its surface and also having at its surface, in locations adjacent to the luminophor compound, a halogenated hydrocarbon compound containing at least one halogen selected from a group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an oxygen sensor utilizing a fiber-optic light guide to conduct excitation light to a substrate comprised of activated silica gel particles having methylene chloride and N-methylacridone co-deposited on them.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst for use in treating automotive exhaust gases employs a delta alumina support which contains oxides of cerium plus barium and/or lanthanum, plus at least one Group VIII noble metal from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite for treating an exhaust gas comprising a first support which is a refractory inorganic oxide having dispersed thereon at least one noble metal component and having dispersed immediately thereon an overlayer comprising at least one oxygen storage component and optionally a second support which is a refractory inorganic oxide. The first support may be selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, zirconia and aluminosilicates with alumina being preferred. Additionally, the noble metal component may be selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthernium and iridium. The oxygen storage component is an oxide of a metal which includes cerium, iron, nickel, cobalt lanthanum, neodymium, praesodymium, etc. and mixtures thereof. Cerium oxide is a preferred oxygen storage component.

Abstract: The amount of carbon monoxide or oxygen in a gas is measured by determining the change in dielectric properties of a polymer film disposed between two electrodes. A preferred polymer film comprises an organometallic gas carrier interdispersed within an interpenetrating polymer network matrix.

Abstract: Semipermeable membranes comprising polyesters which are resistant to chlorine are prepared by casting on a porous support backing material either a solution comprising a blend of a polymeric hydroxyalkyl acrylate and a polymeric monocarboxylic acid, or a polymeric polycarboxylic acid, or a solution containing a prepolymer which has been formed by the reaction of a polymeric hydroxyalkyl acrylate with an acryloyl halide or an anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid. The porous support backing material is contacted with the solution at contacting conditions, following which the excess solution is removed and the solution-coated porous support backing material is then cured at curing conditions. This membrane will possess excellent characteristics of salt rejection and flux as well as being resistant to the action of chlorine which is present in water which is subjected to a desalination process.