Abstract: Titanium coordination complexes, particularly titanium catecholate complexes, can be attractive active materials for use in flow batteries. However, such coordination complexes can be difficult to prepare from inexpensive starting materials, particularly in aqueous solutions. Titanium oxychloride and titanium tetrachloride represent relatively inexpensive titanium sources that can be used for preparing such coordination complexes. Methods for preparing titanium catecholate complexes can include combining one or more catecholate ligands and titanium oxychloride in an aqueous solution, and reacting the one or more catecholate ligands with the titanium oxychloride in the aqueous solution to form the titanium catecholate complex. Titanium tetrachloride can be used as a precursor for forming the titanium oxychloride in situ. In some instances, the titanium catecholate complex can be isolated in a solid form, which can be substantially free of alkali metal ions.

Abstract: Methods of isolating tungsten and, in particular, methods of separating tungsten and vanadium are described herein. The methods can generally comprise treating a tungsten-containing material in aqueous solution with a reducing agent suitable for the reduction of pentavalent vanadium to one or more lower oxidation states of vanadium, such that the tungsten can be more readily separated from the vanadium, e.g., via solvent extraction. In certain embodiments, the methods disclosed herein can provide tungsten, vanadium, or both tungsten and vanadium in sufficient purities for commercial use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to constructs and methods of use thereof for improving NOx reduction in air. In particular, it has been found that improvements in NOx reduction are achieved when a photocatalytic, transparent or translucent titanium dioxide sol formulation is provided as a layer over a white surface or like surface that provides high reflection of incident light. The surface may be the surface of an underlying base structure or an applied layer, such as a paint. The base to which the layer(s) is applied can be a structure that is located where NOx concentration in the atmosphere is particularly high, such as near a roadway or other areas subject to significant vehicular traffic.

Abstract: TiO2 based scrubbing granules, and methods of making and using such TiO2 based scrubbing granules are described. TiO2-based scrubbing granules include granulated TiO2 and about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight inorganic salt binder. Other TiO2 based scrubbing granules include unsintered granulated TiO2 and about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight inorganic salt binder. Inorganic salt binder include sodium aluminate. Methods of making TiO2 based scrubbing granules include i) combining TiO2 particles with inorganic salt binder to form TiO2-binder mixture comprising from about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight binder; ii) granulating the TiO2-binder mixture; and drying the granulated TiO2-binder mixture to form TiO2-based scrubbing granules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process/system for the removal of metal chloride impurities from a titanium tetrachloride stream. The metal chloride impurities are removed through contact of the titanium tetrachloride stream with an alumino-silicate material, which can be selected based on certain properties of the alumino-silicate and based on the geometries of the impurity(ies) and the alumino-silicate.

Abstract: TiO2 based scrubbing granules, and methods of making and using such TiO2 based scrubbing granules are described. TiO2-based scrubbing granules include granulated TiO2 and about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight inorganic salt binder. Other TiO2 based scrubbing granules include unsintered granulated TiO2 and about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight inorganic salt binder. Inorganic salt binder include sodium aluminate. Methods of making TiO2 based scrubbing granules include i) combining TiO2 particles with inorganic salt binder to form TiO2-binder mixture comprising from about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight binder; ii) granulating the TiO2-binder mixture; and drying the granulated TiO2-binder mixture to form TiO2-based scrubbing granules.

Abstract: A pigment mixture comprising (a) pigment particles, (b) colloidal spacer particles dispersed on surfaces of the pigment particles, and (c) carrier particles, wherein the pigment particles with colloidal spacer particles are dispersed on surfaces of the carrier particles. A pigment mixture of titanium dioxide pigment particles having colloidal silica spacer particles on surfaces of the titanium dioxide, the titanium dioxide and colloidal silica attached to surfaces of diatomaceous earth carrier particles, provides improved optical efficiency of the pigment and improved retention in a paper fiber matrix.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and processes for the production of silica-stabilized ultrafine anatase titanias and which may further comprise tungsten and vanadia. The surface stabilization may be by treatment of the TiO2 particles with a low molecular weight and/or small nanoparticle form of silica such as, in preferred embodiments, a tetra(alkyl)ammonium silicate or silicic acid, which serves to efficiently maintain the anatase phase and prevent crystal growth under severe thermal and hydrothermal conditions, even in the presence of vanadia. The vanadia catalysts produced from the novel titanias have equal or improved catalytic activity for selective catalytic reduction of NOx compared to conventional vanadia supported silica-titania based catalysts. The invention is further directed to diesel emission catalytic devices comprising the novel titania-based catalyst compositions.

Abstract: De-polluting, self-cleaning coating compositions are disclosed which comprise an organic binder having dispersed therein photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles substantially in anatase form which have an average crystallite size between about 1 nm and about 150 nm and which preferably have photocatalytic activity in the presence of visible light. Advantageously, the coatings of the invention do not require pre-activation to achieve high initial photocatalytic activity against pollutants in the air, such as NOx compounds.

Abstract: A method for preparing a neutral, stable and transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sol is provided. The method comprises (1) contacting an alkaline titanium dioxide sol with an alkaline peptizing agent to provide a peptized alkaline titanium dioxide sol; (2) neutralizing the peptized alkaline titanium dioxide sol; and (3) obtaining or collecting the neutral, stable and transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sol. The titanium dioxide sol is stable and transparent over a range of pH of about 7.0 to about 9.5. The titanium dioxide sol may include crystallites of titanium dioxide having an average particle size of less than about 10 nm with at least 90% of the crystallites being in the anatase form.

Abstract: A composition includes polymer and dispersed infrared-reflective clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles. The titanium dioxide primary particles are cemented together with precipitated silica and/or alumina to form clusters. The titanium dioxide primary particles have an average particle diameter in the range of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 micron, while the clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles have an average cluster diameter in the range of from about 0.38 to about 5 microns and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) in the range of from about 1.55 to about 2.5.

Abstract: The invention is a coating composition comprising photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles, an opacifying agent, a silicone compound, de-HNO3 particles, styrene resin hollow microspheres, and a solvent. The combination of a silicone compound and styrene resin hollow microspheres in a depolluting coating composition results in improved opacity and durability compared to conventional coatings.

Abstract: A vanadia-based catalytic composition for reduction of nitrogen oxides includes a titania-based support material; vanadia deposited on the titania-based support material; a primary promoter comprising tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide or combinations thereof; and an amount of phosphate to achieve a mole ratio of phosphorus to vanadium plus molybdenum of about 0.2:1 or greater. A zirconia, tin or manganese oxide can be added to further inhibit the volatility of molybdenum. Results show low SO2 oxidation rates and excellent NOx conversion and/or molybdenum stability.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing lithium-containing particles suitable for use in an electrode of a battery, the method including forming a mixture comprising titanium dioxide precursor particles and an aqueous solution of a lithium compound; and heating the mixture at elevated temperature in a sealed pressure vessel in order to form lithium-inserted titanium dioxide particles, wherein at least one particle size characteristic selected from average primary particle size, particle size distribution, average intra-particle pore size, average inter-particle pore size, pore size distribution, and particle shape of the titanium dioxide particles is substantially unchanged by said heating step.

Abstract: De-polluting, self-cleaning coating compositions are disclosed which comprise an organic binder having dispersed therein photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles substantially in anatase form which have an average crystallite size between about 1 nm and about 150 nm and which preferably have photocatalytic activity in the presence of visible light. Advantageously, the coatings of the invention do not require pre-activation to achieve high initial photocatalytic activity against pollutants in the air, such as NOx compounds.

Abstract: Catalyst support materials, catalysts, methods of making such and uses thereof are described. Methods of making catalyst support material include combining anatase titania slurry with i) a low molecular weight form of silica; and ii) a source of Mo to form a TiO2—MoO3—SiO2 mixture. Catalyst support material include from about 86% to about 94% weight anatase titanium dioxide; from about 0.1% to about 10% weight MoO3; and from about 0.1% to about 10% weight SiO2. Low molecular weight forms of silica include forms of silica having a volume weighted median size of less than 4 nm and average molecular weight of less than 44,000, either individually or in a combination of two or more thereof. Catalyst include such catalyst support material with from about 0.1 to about 3% weight of V2O5 and optionally from about 0.01% to about 2.5% weight P.

Abstract: Ordered acicular aggregates of elongated TiO2 crystallites which resemble nano-sized flower bouquets and/or triangular funnels, and process for their preparation by thermally hydrolyzing a soluble TiO2 precursor compound in aqueous solution in the presence of a morphology controlling agent selected from carboxylic acids and amino acids.

Abstract: A composition includes polymer and dispersed infrared-reflective clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles. The titanium dioxide primary particles are cemented together with precipitated silica and/or alumina to form clusters. The titanium dioxide primary particles have an average particle diameter in the range of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 micron, while the clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles have an average cluster diameter in the range of from about 0.38 to about 5 microns and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) in the range of from about 1.55 to about 2.5.

Abstract: An improved composition capable of forming a translucent coating on a construction material surface comprising at least: a) photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles having at least a de-NOx activity; b) a silicon based-material in which said particles are dispersed, wherein said silicon based material includes at least one polysiloxane; and c) particles having a de-HNO3 activity selected from calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: TiO2 nanoparticles having improved consistent particle morphology, uniform particle size, and which contain uniform intra-particle pores in the mesopore size range are produced by wet chemical hydrolysis.