Abstract: A method of making composite nanoscale particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the composite nanoscale particles, wherein said composite nanoscale particles comprise a first metal and/or a first metal oxide incorporated in nanoscale particles of an oxide of a second metal, the first metal being different than the second metal. The starting material can comprise first and second metals or compounds of the first and second metals. The composite nanoscale particles can be formed in a reaction chamber wherein a temperature gradient is provided. The atmosphere in the chamber can be an inert atmosphere comprising argon or a reactive atmosphere comprising oxygen. The composite nanoscale particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis.

Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper, cigarette filters, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a catalyst capable converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst comprises nanoscale metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on high surface area support particles. The catalyst can be prepared by combining a metal precursor solution with high surface area support particles to form a mixture, or by combining a metal precursor solution with a colloidal solution to form a mixture, and then heat treating the mixture.

Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper, cigarette filters, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a catalyst capable converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst comprises nanoscale metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on high surface area support particles. The catalyst can be prepared by combining a metal precursor solution with high surface area support particles to form a mixture, or by combining a metal precursor solution with a colloidal solution to form a mixture, and then heat treating the mixture.

Abstract: A metallo-organic decomposition process for the preparation of intermetallic powders and films. A liquid mixture containing a first metal precursor and a second metal is heated to a temperature in a first temperature range so as to convert the first metal precursor to a first metal followed by heating to a temperature in a second temperature range so as to form an intermetallic compound by a solid state reaction between the first and second metals. The intermetallic compound can be used as a catalyst in cut filler and/or the filter of a cigarette.

Abstract: An oral chewable tobacco product includes a gum composition in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight based on the weight of the oral chewable tobacco product and tobacco powder in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight based on the weight of the oral chewable tobacco product. The gum composition includes at least one environmentally biodegradable polymer in an amount of about 20% to about 95% by weight based on the weight of the gum composition and at least one softener in an amount of about 5% to about 80% by weight based on the weight of the gum composition.

Abstract: A method of making composite nanoscale particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the composite nanoscale particles, wherein said composite nanoscale particles comprise a first metal and/or a first metal oxide incorporated in nanoscale particles of an oxide of a second metal, the first metal being different than the second metal. The starting material can comprise first and second metals or compounds of the first and second metals. The composite nanoscale particles can be formed in a reaction chamber wherein a temperature gradient is provided. The atmosphere in the chamber can be an inert atmosphere comprising argon or a reactive atmosphere comprising oxygen. The composite nanoscale particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis.

Abstract: A method of making composite nanoscale particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the composite nanoscale particles, wherein said composite nanoscale particles comprise a first metal and/or a first metal oxide incorporated in nanoscale particles of an oxide of a second metal, the first metal being different than the second metal. The starting material can comprise first and second metals or compounds of the first and second metals. The composite nanoscale particles can be formed in a reaction chamber wherein a temperature gradient is provided. The atmosphere in the chamber can be an inert atmosphere comprising argon or a reactive atmosphere comprising oxygen. The composite nanoscale particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis.

Abstract: A component of a cigarette comprises a silver-based catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The silver-based catalyst comprises particles (e.g., nanoscale or larger sized particles) of metallic silver and/or silver oxide supported in and/or on metal oxide support particles. The silver-based catalyst can be incorporated into a cigarette component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking. The catalyst can also be used in non-cigarette applications.

Abstract: CuO—ZnO—CeO2 catalyst and aged CuO—ZnO catalyst catalytically active for low temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide. The catalysts are co-precipitated, filtered, washed, dried, and calcined. The catalysts can be incorporated into a component of a cigarette or can be used to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide from a vehicle exhaust emission, a gas used in a laser, a gas used in a fuel cell and/or ambient air undergoing air filtration.

Abstract: A method of making composite nanoscale particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the composite nanoscale particles, wherein said composite nanoscale particles comprise a first metal and/or a first metal oxide incorporated in nanoscale particles of an oxide of a second metal, the first metal being different than the second metal. The starting material can comprise first and second metals or compounds of the first and second metals. The composite nanoscale particles can be formed in a reaction chamber wherein a temperature gradient is provided. The atmosphere in the chamber can be an inert atmosphere comprising argon or a reactive atmosphere comprising oxygen. The composite nanoscale particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis.

Abstract: A method of making palladium-containing nanoscale catalyst particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the catalyst particles. The catalyst comprises nanoscale particles of palladium and/or palladium oxide incorporated in and/or on nanoscale particles of a metal or metal oxide. The nanoscale catalyst, which can be incorporated in the tobacco cut filler, cigarette wrapper and/or cigarette filter of a cigarette, is useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis. The nanoscale catalyst can convert carbon monoxide and nitric oxide that are found in mainstream smoke to carbon dioxide and nitrogen, respectively. The nanoscale catalyst may also be incorporated into a hydrocarbon conversion reactor, into a vehicle exhaust emissions system, into a laser, into a fuel cell or used in an air filter or for emissions reduction in the cold starting of an automobile engine.

Abstract: A method of making composite nanoscale particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the composite nanoscale particles, wherein said composite nanoscale particles comprise a first metal and/or a first metal oxide incorporated in nanoscale particles of an oxide of a second metal, the first metal being different than the second metal. The starting material can comprise first and second metals or compounds of the first and second metals. The composite nanoscale particles can be formed in a reaction chamber wherein a temperature gradient is provided. The atmosphere in the chamber can be an inert atmosphere comprising argon or a reactive atmosphere comprising oxygen. The composite nanoscale particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis.

Abstract: A method of making palladium-containing nanoscale catalyst particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the catalyst particles. The catalyst comprises nanoscale particles of palladium and/or palladium oxide incorporated in and/or on nanoscale particles of a metal or metal oxide. The nanoscale catalyst, which can be incorporated in the tobacco cut filler, cigarette wrapper and/or cigarette filter of a cigarette, is useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis. The nanoscale catalyst can convert carbon monoxide and nitric oxide that are found in mainstream smoke to carbon dioxide and nitrogen, respectively. The nanoscale catalyst may also be incorporated into a hydrocarbon conversion reactor, into a vehicle exhaust emissions system, into a laser, into a fuel cell or used in an air filter or for emissions reduction in the cold starting of an automobile engine.

Abstract: An oral chewable tobacco product includes a gum composition in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight based on the weight of the oral chewable tobacco product and tobacco powder in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight based on the weight of the oral chewable tobacco product. The gum composition includes at least one environmentally biodegradable polymer in an amount of about 20% to about 95% by weight based on the weight of the gum composition and at least one softener in an amount of about 5% to about 80% by weight based on the weight of the gum composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing one or more heavy metals from an aqueous plant extract, comprising: contacting the aqueous plant extract with, and sorbing at least a portion of the one or more heavy metals on, at least one sorbent selected from the group consisting of: one or more surface activated titanium oxide particles, one or more chitosans, one or more calcium phosphates, one or more mercaptoalkyl-substituted silica gels, one or more mercaptoalkyl-substituted mesoporous molecular sieves, one or more finely ground ?-aluminas, one or more photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles, one or more Au-anatases, ceria, and combinations thereof, to form a mixture of sorbent and heavy metal-depleted aqueous plant extract; and separating the sorbent from the mixture to provide a heavy metal-depleted aqueous plant extract.

Abstract: A method of making palladium-containing nanoscale catalyst particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the catalyst particles. The catalyst comprises nanoscale particles of palladium and/or palladium oxide incorporated in and/or on nanoscale particles of a metal or metal oxide. The nanoscale catalyst, which can be incorporated in the tobacco cut filler, cigarette wrapper and/or cigarette filter of a cigarette, is useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis. The nanoscale catalyst can convert carbon monoxide and nitric oxide that are found in mainstream smoke to carbon dioxide and nitrogen, respectively. The nanoscale catalyst may also be incorporated into a hydrocarbon conversion reactor, into a vehicle exhaust emissions system, into a laser, into a fuel cell or used in an air filter or for emissions reduction in the cold starting of an automobile engine.

Abstract: A laminate including a flavorant useful for packaging cigarettes or other products such as food products. The laminate includes crosslinked polymer coatings adhered to at least two metal foils, and a volatile flavor component such as menthol is applied to one of the polymer-coated surfaces. The laminate minimizes loss of volatile and/or heat sensitive flavor components from the package during extended periods at elevated temperature which are often associated with long term storage and/or shipping.

Abstract: A component of a cigarette comprises a silver-based catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The silver-based catalyst comprises particles (e.g., nanoscale or larger sized particles) of metallic silver and/or silver oxide supported in and/or on metal oxide support particles. The silver-based catalyst can be incorporated into a cigarette component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking. The catalyst can also be used in non-cigarette applications.

Abstract: A component of a cigarette comprises a silver-based catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The silver-based catalyst comprises particles (e.g., nanoscale or larger sized particles) of metallic silver and/or silver oxide supported in and/or on metal oxide support particles. The silver-based catalyst can be incorporated into a cigarette component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking. The catalyst can also be used in non-cigarette applications.

Abstract: A method for forming a copper oxide catalyst includes forming a precipitate of copper hydroxide from a copper salt solution; forming dried particles of copper hydroxide by drying the precipitate at a temperature of less than 30° C.; heating the copper hydroxide particles to form copper oxide; and activating the copper oxide. The copper oxide catalyst includes particles of copper oxide. Copper oxide catalyst particles can preferably include a metastable form of copper oxide. The copper oxide catalyst particles are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis and/or oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.