Abstract: Improved bi-metallic nanocatalysts are manufactured using a control agent to produce nanoparticles having a controlled crystal face exposure. The bi-metallic nanocatalyst particles are manufactured in a two-step process. In a first step, nanocatalyst particles are manufactured using the control agent and the primary metal atoms. The primary metal atoms and the control agent are reacted to form complexed metal atoms. The complexed metal atoms are then allowed or caused to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles formed in the first step using the control agent have a desired crystal face exposure. In a second step, the secondary metal atoms are deposited on the surface of the primary metal nanoparticles. The secondary catalyst atoms maintain the same crystal face exposure as the primary metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Colloidal suspensions of metallic particles are manufactured by providing a precursor mixture containing metallic particles having a first size, at least one solvent, and at least one stabilizing agent. The precursor mixture is sonicated to breakdown the metallic particles and suspend the particles in the solvent to form a colloid. The colloidal suspensions of metallic particles obtained with the present invention are highly concentrated and stable.

Abstract: Reforming nanocatalysts are formed using a dispersing agent to increase the activity, selectivity and longevity of the catalyst when used in a reforming process. The nanocatalyst particles are formed using a dispersing agent having at least one functional group selected from the group of a hydroxyl, a carboxyl, a carbonyl, an amide, an amine, a thiol, a sulfonic acid, sulfonyl halide, an acyl halide, an organometallic complex, and combinations of these. The dispersing agent is particularly useful for forming multicomponent catalysts comprising an alloy, combination, mixture, decoration, or interspersion of platinum and one or more of tin, rhenium or iridium. The formation of the nanoparticles may include a heat treating process performed in an inert or oxidative environment to maintain the catalyst atoms in a non-zero oxidation state to thereby maintain a stronger bond between the dispersing agent and the catalyst atoms.

Abstract: Supported nickel catalyst having high nickel loading and dispersion are manufactured using a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent molecules include at least one functional group that bonds with the nickel atoms and influences nanoparticle formation. The support material is loaded with at least about 5% nickel, more preferably at least about 8%, and most preferably at least about 12% by weight of the total catalyst. Catalysts manufactured using the organic dispersing agents and loaded with the foregoing amounts of nickel have metal dispersions greater than about 5% as measured by hydrogen adsorption, more preferably greater than about 10%, and most preferably greater than about 15%.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons containing polynuclear aromatics, such as cycle oil and pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO), are upgraded using an catalyst complex that selectively cracks the polynuclear aromatic compounds to form higher value mono-aromatic compounds, such as benzene toluene, xylenes and ethyl benzene (i.e., BTX). The catalyst complexes include a catalytic metal center and a plurality of organic ligands. During the hydrocracking procedure, the organic ligand preserves one of the aromatic rings of the polynuclear aromatic compounds while the catalytic metal breaks the other aromatic rings thereby yielding a monoaromatic compound.

Abstract: Oil soluble catalysts are used to convert polynuclear aromatic compounds in a hydrocarbon feedstock to higher value mono-aromatic compounds. The catalyst complex includes a catalytic metal center that is bonded to a plurality of organic ligands that make the catalyst complex oil-soluble. The ligands include an aromatic ring and a ligand spacer group. The ligand spacer group provides spacing of 2-6 atoms between the metal center and the aromatic ring. The spacing between the aromatic group and the catalytic metal center advantageously allows the catalyst to selectively crack polynuclear aromatic rings while preserving one of the aromatic rings, thereby increasing the content of mono-aromatic compounds in the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Organic ligands that contain at least one aryl group are immobilized on a solid support. The organic ligands are of the type used to form a catalyst complex suitable for carrying out a catalytic reaction, preferably an asymmetric reaction. To immobilize the organic ligands, a tethering group is bonded to the ligand using, for example, a Friedel-Crafts acylation or alkylation reaction. The immobilization of the organic ligand can be carried out using a single reaction with the organic ligand.

Abstract: Aryl-aryl coupled polymers are manufactured using a water-soluble noble metal catalyst. The hydrophilicity of the catalyst facilitates the separation of the catalyst from the polymer product. The method can be generally carried out by preparing a reaction medium comprising an aqueous phase and an organic phase. A water-soluble noble metal catalyst is dispersed in the aqueous phase. A base is also dispersed in the aqueous phase. An aryl-aryl coupled polymer is formed in the reaction medium by (i) adding at least one polymerizable monomer to the reaction mixture; and (ii) mixing the aqueous phase with the organic phase to cause polymerization of the monomer through an aryl-aryl coupling reaction. The polymer has a greater solubility in the organic phase than the aqueous phase. Allowing the organic phase to separate from the aqueous phase separates the water soluble catalyst from the polymer. The reaction can be used to manufacture high molecular weight polymers (e.g.

Abstract: Organic ligands that contain at least one aryl group are immobilized on a solid support. The organic ligands are of the type used to form a catalyst complex suitable for carrying out a catalytic reaction, preferably an asymmetric reaction. To immobilize the organic ligands, a tethering group is bonded to the ligand using, for exarnple, a Friedel-Crafts acylation or alkylation reaction. The immobilization of the organic ligand can be carried out using a single reaction with the organic ligand.

Abstract: Catalysts suitable for use in reforming hydrocarbons have a halogen promoter and a plurality of dispersed nanocatalyst particles supported on a solid support. The dispersed nanocatalyst particles are manufactured using a dispersing agent to control the size and/or crystal face exposure of the particles. The controlled size and dispersion of the nanocatalyst particles allows the reforming catalyst to be loaded with significantly less halogen promoter while still maintaining or increasing the catalyst's reforming performance. The catalysts of the present invention have shown improved C5+ production with the significantly reduced levels of halogen promoter.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing supported catalysts and the use of these catalysts in, e.g., the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide. The nanocatalyst particles are manufactured from catalyst atoms complexed with organic agent molecules (e.g., polyacrylic acid). The complexed catalyst atoms are heated to cause formation of the nanocatalyst particles. The temperature used to cause formation of the particles is typically greater than 30° C., preferably greater than 50° C, and more preferably greater than 70° C.

Abstract: Methods and systems for hydrocracking a heavy oil feedstock using, a colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst (e.g., molybdenum sulfide) which provide for concentration of the colloidally dispersed catalyst within the lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased catalyst concentration, the inventive systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and of course higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion levels of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables the reactor to process a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and can lead to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the colloidal or molecular catalyst.

Abstract: Magnetite powders are manufactured by first forming a precursor mixture containing iron atoms bonded to organic control agent molecules. Thereafter, magnetite is formed by (i) causing or allowing the iron atoms in the precursor mixture to form iron particles and (ii) reducing the iron atoms using a reducing agent. The magnetite powders obtained using the methods of the invention are superparamagnetic and can have very low densities. In one embodiment, the magnetite powders include a carbon coating on the magnetite particles which makes the particles resistant to being oxidized.

Abstract: The particle sizes of agglomerates of carbon nanospheres are reduced by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in an organic solvent. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow, graphitic structures with an average diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, more preferably about 20 nm to about 100 nm. Spectral data shows that prior to being dispersed, the carbon nanospheres are agglomerated into clusters that range in size from 500 nm to 5 microns. The clusters of nanospheres are reduced in size by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in an organic solvent containing at least one heteroatom (e.g., NMP) using ultrasonication. The combination of organic solvent and ultrasonication breaks up and disperses agglomerates of carbon nanospheres.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are formed from a carbon precursor and catalytic templating nanoparticles and are treated with a severe oxidative agent to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups to the surface of the graphitic material. Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures generally include (1) forming a precursor mixture that includes a carbon precursor and a plurality of catalytic templating particles, (2) carbonizing the precursor mixture to form an intermediate carbon material including carbon nanostructures, amorphous carbon, and catalytic metal, (3) purifying the intermediate carbon material by removing at least a portion of the amorphous carbon and optionally at least a portion of the catalytic metal, and (4) treating the intermediate carbon material with a severe oxidative treatment to increase surface functionalization.

Abstract: Metal-containing colloids are manufactured by reacting a plurality of metal ions and a plurality of organic agent molecules to form metal complexes in a mixture having a pH greater than about 4.25. The metal complexes are reduced for at least 0.5 hour to form stable colloidal nanoparticles. The extended reduction time improves the stability of the colloidal particles as compared to shorter reduction times. The stability of the colloidal particles allows for colloids with higher concentrations of metal to be formed. The concentration of metal in the colloid is preferably at least about 150 ppm by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for the electronic display of information, where the apparatus is a substrate incorporating a digital recording medium attached to or embedded within the substrate. The substrate further includes a flexible-substrate display located on an exposed surface of the substrate, where the display is a medium capable of selectively displaying one of at least two possible colors at each pixel location thereon in order to produce a substrate medium that may be modified in accordance with a user's selection.

Abstract: The particle sizes of agglomerates of carbon nanospheres are reduced by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in a polar solvent. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow, graphitic structures with an average diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, more preferably about 20 nm to about 100 nm. Spectral data shows that prior to being dispersed, the carbon nanospheres are agglomerated into clusters that range in size from 500 nm to 5 microns. The clusters of nanospheres are reduced in size by dispersing the carbon nanospheres in the polar solvent (e.g., water) using a surface modifying agent (e.g., glucose) and ultrasonication. The combination of polar solvent, surface modifying agent, and ultrasonication breaks up and disperses agglomerates of carbon nanospheres.

Abstract: Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight.

Abstract: Organic ligands that contain at least one aryl group are immobilized on a solid support. The organic ligands are of the type used to form a catalyst complex suitable for carrying out a catalytic reaction, preferably an asymmetric reaction. To immobilize the organic ligands, a tethering group is bonded to the ligand using, for example, a Friedel-Crafts acylation or alkylation reaction. The immobilization of the organic ligand can be carried out using a single reaction with the organic ligand.