Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing low water uptake precipitated silicas, comprising successive steps which consist in: (a) producing an initial starter including a silicate, the silicate concentration in said starter, expressed in SiO2 equivalent, being less than 15 g/L; (b) bringing the medium pH to a value ranging between 7 and 8 by adding an acidifying agent, (c) in the resulting medium, simultaneously adding a silicate and an acidifying agent the respective amounts of silicate and acidifying agent added in time being specifically such that, during the entire addition (1) the reaction medium pH stays between 7 and 8, and (ii) the silicon concentration in the medium, expressed in SiO2 equivalent, stays below 35 g/L; (d) adding an acidifying agent in the medium resulting from step (c), so as to bring the medium to a pH ranging between 3 and 6.5; and (e) filtering the resulting aqueous silica dispersion, then drying the filter cake obtained at the end of the filtering step.

Abstract: A titanium oxide nanoparticle includes anatase titanium oxide, and may be a nanofiber having a minimum dimension less than 200 nanometers and having an aspect ratio greater than 20:1. A titanium oxide nanoparticle including anatase titanium oxide may include a dopant metal and/or a dopant nonmetal, and may be in a form other than a nanosphere. A method of making nanoparticles includes heating a reaction mixture in an autoclave, where the reaction mixture includes a titanium source and a polar organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides a high purity carbonaceous material which is reduced in contents of oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine readily binding to carbon atoms and in contents of elements, phosphorus, sulfur and boron, readily binding to carbon atoms upon heating and which can be used in producing single crystals such as semiconductors, a high purity carbonaceous material for use as a substrate for ceramic layer coating, and a ceramic layer-coated high purity carbonaceous material. The high purity carbonaceous material has oxygen content of 1×1018 atoms/cm3 or less as determined by SIMS. Its chlorine content is preferably 1×1016 atoms/cm3 or less as determined by SIMS, and its nitrogen content is preferably 5×1018 atoms/cm3 or less as determined by SIMS. Its phosphorus, sulfur and boron contents are preferably not higher than respective specified values. Such a high purity carbonaceous material is coated with ceramic layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting chemical self-heating in organic-containing materials by the addition of phosphate and or other buffering agents which control the pH of the organic-containing material and alter the organic nature of the material such that self-heating reaction is inhibited, and fertilizer produced by these methods. Also disclosed are methods for producing an improved, i.e., self-heating resistant, organically-enhanced inorganic fertilizer and methods for improving the management of soil pH and the interaction of fertilizers with the soil and associated agricultural crops.

Abstract: A synthetic catalyst providing superoxide dismutase activity consists essentially of monodispersed nanoparticles of cerium oxide having a crystal lattice containing cerium in mixed valence states of Ce3+ and Ce4+ wherein the Ce4+ valence state predominates and containing an enhanced Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio and an effective number of oxygen vacancies in the crystal lattice so as to increase catalytic efficiency. A method of making the synthetic catalyst includes dissolving hydrous Ce(NO3)3 in water so as to form a solution, stirring the solution, adding hydrogen peroxide, heating and stopping when the solution develops a light yellow color.

Abstract: An alumina-based perovskite is formed by mixing a lanthanide source with a transitional alumina to form a dual-phase composition comprising in-situ formed LnAlO3 dispersed in alumina. The lanthanide content of the composition ranges from 6-35 wt. % to yield a high surface area composition which is useful as a catalyst or catalyst support such as for precious metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a desulfurization process of pastel and grids of lead accumulators comprising a carbonation in two steps, a granulometric separation between the two steps followed by specific desulfurization of the large part, a desodification obtaining the conversion of the PbSO4 contained in the pastel into PbCO3 which can be easily converted into metallic Pb in an oven by the addition of coal. The system used for the desodification of the large part of the pastel can also be used for the desulfurization of the fine part of the grids.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes a support and a catalyst active component including at least one noble metal supported by at least a portion of the support. The support includes a stabilized zirconia containing at least one stabilizing element selected from rare earth elements and alkaline earth elements. 20 to 80% by weight of a total amount of the active component is supported in the support in a form of solid solution with the stabilized zirconia, and 80 to 20% by weight of a total amount of the active component is supported on a surface of at least a portion of the support.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an isomerisation catalyst comprising mixed aluminium, tungsten and zirconium oxides and a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation component, such as palladium or other Group VIII metals. The catalyst is useful in an isomerisation process for C4+ paraffins and may optionally also include shorter paraffins, aromatics or cycloparaffins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of purifying carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In general, such methods comprise the following steps: (a) preparing an aqueous slurry of impure CNT material; (b) establishing a source of Fe2+ ions in the slurry to provide a catalytic slurry; (c) adding hydrogen peroxide to the catalytic slurry to provide an oxidative slurry, wherein the Fe2+ ions catalyze the production of hydroxyl radicals; and (d) utilizing the hydroxyl radicals in the oxidative slurry to purify the CNT material and provide purified CNTs.

Abstract: A high dispersible hydrophobic fine silica powder can be made, wherein the silica powder has hydrophobicity of more than 50%, triboelectrostatic charge of more than ?500 ?C/g, decomposition rate of an organic group on the powder surface of less than 15%, transmittance of a 5% alcoholic dispersion liquid of more than 40% preferably, and a specific surface area of more than 200 m2/g. This high dispersible hydrophobic fine silica powder can be made by mixing a hydrophobic agent comprising a volatile organic silicon compound in the gas state with a fine silica powder in a fluidized bed type reaction vessel at the time of a hydrophobic treatment, and controlling a gas flow rate to more than 5.0 cm/sec at the time of this mixing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to high activity titanium oxide DeNOx catalysts. In preferred embodiments, by depositing vanadium oxide on a titania supported metal oxide such as tungsten oxide, an improved catalyst may be generated. This catalyst may be used in the treatment of exhaust from sources such as automobiles and industrial plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a catalyst comprising an inert carrier an a mixed metal oxide as a catalytically active component supported on the inert carrier, the method comprising the steps of: a) adding organic acid(s) into solvent(s) and salt of each metal component which will form a mixed metal oxide, to prepare a catalyst precursor solution for the mixed metal oxide; b) adjusting pH of the catalyst precursor solution using a basic solution; c) containing the catalyst precursor solution for the mixed metal oxide, of which the pH is adjusted, on the inert carrier, d) removing the solvent(s); and e) calcining the resultant from step d. The catalyst produced by the present method has improved reproducibility, activity and yield, while maintaining a high selectivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to ?-SiC foam parts with a specific surface area preferably equal to at least 5 m2/g and with at least two zones A and B with a different cellular porosity distribution, wherein the parts were made by chemical transformation of a porous precursor medium comprising at least two blocks A? and B?, each having a different cellular porosity distribution, and in that the at least two zones A and B are derived from the chemical transformation of the two blocks A? and B?. This foam, optionally after deposition of an active layer, may be used as a filter medium in cartridges designed for the purification of exhaust gases. The invention also relates to manufacturing processes for preparing such a filter medium.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for producing titanium dioxide, comprising: a) providing a quantity of liquid titanium tetrahalide for reacting with an oxygen-containing gas; b) vaporizing a first portion of the liquid titanium tetrahalide and reacting the titanium tetrahalide vapor and the oxygen-containing gas, in a first stage of a reaction zone, the reaction zone temperature ranging from at least about 650° C.—to form a reaction product at least containing titanium dioxide and oxygen-containing gas and passing the reaction product, more typically in the vapor phase, to at least one additional stage of the reaction zone; and c) charging at least one additional portion of the liquid titanium tetrahalide to the at least one additional stage of the reaction zone to cool the titanium dioxide and to react with the oxygen-containing gas to form additional titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The present application relates to granules of powdery mineral particles produced by spray granulation of a liquid slurry comprising powdery minerals particles having particle size below 10 m, at least one water-reducing agent and/or at least one binder agent and/or at least one dispersing agent. The application further relates to a method for producing such granules.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for combusting coke of a coke-containing FCC catalyst in a regeneration unit of a FCC unit having the introduction of oxygen-containing gas through a gas-transport unit into the regeneration unit and combusting the coke by means of an oxygen-containing gas, in which the oxygen-containing gas is cooled in a cooling unit before it is brought in contact with the coke-containing FCC catalyst. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing said process.

Abstract: Decomposition of methane to produce carbon monoxide-free hydrogen is accomplished using un-supported, nanometer sized, hydrogen reduced, nickel oxide particles made by a precipitation process. A nickel compound, such as NiCl2 or Ni(NO3) is dissolved in water and suitably precipitated as nickel hydroxide. The precipitate is separated, dried and calcined to form the NiO catalyst precursor particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a photocatalyst according to the invention comprises forming an amorphous titanium oxide and heat-treating it in an atmosphere containing oxygen, whereby a photocatalyst having a good photocatalysis can be obtained. In particular, the amorphous titanium oxide is obtained by using the reactive sputtering method and via deposition at a low temperature and at a high film formation rate. This apparatus can be provided with cooling means to allow enhancement of the throughput of the film formation process.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods by which carbon nanotubes can be functionalized under solvent-free conditions. As extremely large quantities are typically required to dissolve or disperse carbon nanotubes, solvent elimination the processes more favorable for scale-up. Such processes are also amenable to a wide variety of chemical reactions are functionalizing agents.