Abstract: A method of strengthening a precipitated unsupported iron catalyst by: preparing a precipitated unsupported iron catalyst containing copper and potassium; adding a solution comprising a structural promoter to the previously prepared catalyst; drying the mixture; and calcining the dried catalyst. A method for preparing an iron catalyst, the method comprising: precipitating a catalyst precursor comprising iron phases selected from hydroxides, oxides, and carbonates; adding a promoter to the catalyst precursor to yield a promoted precursor; drying the promoted precursor to yield dried catalyst; and calcining the dried catalyst, wherein the catalyst further comprises copper and potassium. A method of preparing a strengthened precipitated iron catalyst comprising: co-precipitating iron, copper, magnesium, and aluminum; washing the precipitate; alkalizing the precipitate; and drying the precipitate to yield a dried catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A method of producing stable ferrous nitrate solution by dissolving iron in nitric acid to form a ferrous nitrate solution and maintaining the solution at a first temperature for a first time period, whereby the Fe(II) content of the ferrous nitrate solution changes by less than about 2% over a second time period. A method of producing stable Fe(II)/Fe(III) nitrate solution comprising ferrous nitrate and ferric nitrate and having a desired ratio of ferrous iron to ferric iron, including obtaining a stable ferrous nitrate solution; dissolving iron in nitric acid to form a ferric nitrate solution; maintaining the ferric nitrate solution at a second temperature for a third time period; and combining amounts of stable ferrous nitrate solution and ferric nitrate solution to produce the stable Fe(II)/Fe(III) nitrate solution. A method of preparing an iron catalyst is also described.

Abstract: A method of activating an iron Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by introducing an inert gas into a reactor comprising a slurry of the catalyst at a first temperature, increasing the reactor temperature from the first temperature to a second temperature at a first ramp rate, wherein the second temperature is in the range of from about 150° C. to 250° C., introducing synthesis gas having a ratio of H2:CO to the reactor at a space velocity, and increasing the reactor temperature from the second temperature to a third temperature at a second ramp rate, wherein the third temperature is in the range of from about 270° C. to 300° C. The iron Fischer-Tropsch catalyst may be a precipitated unsupported iron catalyst, production of which is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing stable ferrous nitrate solution by dissolving iron in nitric acid to form a ferrous nitrate solution and maintaining the solution at a first temperature for a first time period, whereby the Fe(II) content of the ferrous nitrate solution changes by less than about 2% over a second time period. A method of producing stable Fe(II)/Fe(III) nitrate solution comprising ferrous nitrate and ferric nitrate and having a desired ratio of ferrous iron to ferric iron, including obtaining a stable ferrous nitrate solution; dissolving iron in nitric acid to form a ferric nitrate solution; maintaining the ferric nitrate solution at a second temperature for a third time period; and combining amounts of stable ferrous nitrate solution and ferric nitrate solution to produce the stable Fe(II)/Fe(III) nitrate solution. A method of preparing an iron catalyst is also described.

Abstract: A method of activating an iron Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by introducing an inert gas into a reactor comprising a slurry of the catalyst at a first temperature, increasing the reactor temperature from the first temperature to a second temperature at a first ramp rate, wherein the second temperature is in the range of from about 150° C. to 250° C., introducing synthesis gas having a ratio of H2:CO to the reactor at a space velocity, and increasing the reactor temperature from the second temperature to a third temperature at a second ramp rate, wherein the third temperature is in the range of from about 270° C. to 300° C. The iron Fischer-Tropsch catalyst may be a precipitated unsupported iron catalyst, production of which is also provided.

Abstract: A method of strengthening a precipitated unsupported iron catalyst by: preparing a precipitated unsupported iron catalyst containing copper and potassium; adding a solution comprising a structural promoter to the previously prepared catalyst; drying the mixture; and calcining the dried catalyst. A method for preparing an iron catalyst, the method comprising: precipitating a catalyst precursor comprising iron phases selected from hydroxides, oxides, and carbonates; adding a promoter to the catalyst precursor to yield a promoted precursor; drying the promoted precursor to yield dried catalyst; and calcining the dried catalyst, wherein the catalyst further comprises copper and potassium. A method of preparing a strengthened precipitated iron catalyst comprising: co-precipitating iron, copper, magnesium, and aluminum; washing the precipitate; alkalizing the precipitate; and drying the precipitate to yield a dried catalyst precursor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer composite materials containing carbon nanotubes, particularly to those containing singled-walled nanotubes. The invention provides a polymer composite comprising one or more base polymers, one or more functionalized m-phenylenevinylene-2,5-disubstituted-p-phenylenevinylene polymers and carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to functionalized m-phenylenevinylene-2,5-disubstituted-p-phenylenevinylene polymers, particularly to m-phenylenevinylene-2,5-disubstituted-p-phenylenevinylene polymers having side chain functionalization, and more particularly to m-phenylenevinylene-2,5-disubstituted-p-phenylenevinylene polymers having olefin side chains and alkyl epoxy side chains. The invention further relates to methods of making polymer composites comprising carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A topical skin protectant formulation containing a barrier cream and an active moiety for protecting warfighters and civilians against all types of harmful chemicals, specifically chemical warfare agents (CWA's). The topical skin protectant offers a barrier property and an active moiety that serves to neutralize chemical warfare agents into less toxic agents.