Abstract: Methods and systems of analyzing and quantifying a surface acidity on a low surface area sample are disclosed. The methods include analyzing a quantity of an effluent molecular probe desorption from a temperature programmed desorption (TPD) process and system, by employing a mass spectroscopy (MS) system. The molecular probe is chemically adsorbed on a clean surface of the sample before the TPD process. The sample has a surface area to mass ratio of less than 5 m2/g. In some embodiments, the total surface area analyzed in the method can be as low as 3 m2.

Abstract: Ceramic articles such as catalyst carriers that include a continuous matrix and a dispersed phase distributed within the matrix as a plurality of discrete regions are disclosed. The matrix and discreet regions have different dye penetration test values. The disclosure also relates to methods of making and characterizing ceramic articles, and to catalyst bodies including the ceramic articles.

Abstract: Ceramic articles such as catalyst carriers that include a continuous matrix and a dispersed phase distributed within the matrix as a plurality of discrete regions are disclosed. The matrix and discreet regions have different dye penetration test values. The disclosure also relates to methods of making and characterizing ceramic articles, and to catalyst bodies including the ceramic articles.

Abstract: Ceramic articles such as catalyst carriers that include a continuous matrix and a dispersed phase distributed within the matrix as a plurality of discrete regions are disclosed. The matrix and discreet regions have different dye penetration test values. The disclosure also relates to methods of making and characterizing ceramic articles, and to catalyst bodies including the ceramic articles.

Abstract: Methods and systems of analyzing and quantifying a surface acidity on a low surface area sample are disclosed. The methods include analyzing a quantity of an effluent molecular probe desorption from a temperature programmed desorption (TPD) process and system, by employing a mass spectroscopy (MS) system. The molecular probe is chemically adsorbed on a clean surface of the sample before the TPD process. The sample has a surface area to mass ratio of less than 5 m2/g. In some embodiments, the total surface area analyzed in the method can be as low as 3 m2.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a high pore volume titanium dioxide ceramic material using a fluoride source. Addition of fluoride in varying amounts modulates the properties of the ceramic material by increasing the pore volume while maintaining a relatively high crush strength. Resulting porous ceramic material include a plurality of sintered ceramic titanium dioxide particles having at least 10% (w/w) rutile phase and exhibiting a pore volume (PV) between 0.20 and 0.60 mL/g and a crush strength (CS) of no less than 3 lbf (13.35 N). The porous ceramic materials described herein can be used as catalyst carriers. The ceramic material can be used as carrier for various catalysts, for example Fisher-Tropsch catalysts.

Abstract: An A and/or A? site deficient perovskite of general formula of (A1-xA?x)1-yFeO3-? or of general formula A1-x-yA?xFeO3-67, wherein A is La alone or with one or more of the rare earth metals or a rare earth metal other than Ce alone or a combination of rare earth metals and X is in the range of from 0 to about 1; A? is Sr or Ca or mixtures thereof and Y is in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.3; ? represents the amount of compensating oxygen loss. If either A or A? is zero the remaining A or A? is deficient. A fuel cell incorporating the inventive perovskite as a cathode is disclosed as well as an oxygen separation membrane. The inventive perovskite is preferably single phase.