Abstract: Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.

Abstract: Methods of forming monodispersed core-shell nanoparticles are provided. A cobalt(II)-ligand component, a metal(II)-ligand component, an organic reducing agent, and a capping agent can be added to an organic solvent to form a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is then heated to a dissolving temperature while under a gas (e.g., including methane) such that the reaction mixture becomes a reaction solution while stirring at the dissolving temperature. The reaction solution is then be heated to a reaction temperature (e.g., about 200° C. or more) while under the gas to form the core-shell nanoparticles, and the core-shell nanoparticles can be collected from the reaction solution.

Abstract: A self-healing reaction process for a chemical reaction is provided by exposing a catalyst a reaction mixture that includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas such that hydrocarbons are produced. The catalyst includes Co3O4 nanorods having both Co2+ and Co3+ exposed thereon. The Co3O4 nanorods can have a spinel crystal structure such that the Co3O4 nanorods define a {110} facet having both Co2+ and Co3+ exposed thereon. During reaction conditions, water can oxidize portions of the catalyst, while the exposed Co3+ can reduce any oxidized portions of the catalyst such that the catalyst is self-healing during reaction conditions, especially when the reaction mixture further comprises water.

Abstract: Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.

Abstract: A self-healing reaction process for a chemical reaction is provided by exposing a catalyst a reaction mixture that includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas such that hydrocarbons are produced. The catalyst includes Co3O4 nanorods having both Co2+ and Co3+ exposed thereon. The Co3O4 nanorods can have a spinel crystal structure such that the Co3O4 nanorods define a {110} facet having both Co2+ and Co3+ exposed thereon. During reaction conditions, water can oxidize portions of the catalyst, while the exposed Co3+ can reduce any oxidized portions of the catalyst such that the catalyst is self-healing during reaction conditions, especially when the reaction mixture further comprises water.

Abstract: Methods of forming monodispersed core-shell nanoparticles are provided. A cobalt(II)-ligand component, a metal(II)-ligand component, an organic reducing agent, and a capping agent can be added to an organic solvent to form a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is then heated to a dissolving temperature while under a gas (e.g., including methane) such that the reaction mixture becomes a reaction solution while stirring at the dissolving temperature. The reaction solution is then be heated to a reaction temperature (e.g., about 200° C. or more) while under the gas to form the core-shell nanoparticles, and the core-shell nanoparticles can be collected from the reaction solution.