Abstract: A method for the production of hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol, or the production of hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of contacting a first catalyst with water in order to photocatalyse the splitting of at least some of the water into hydrogen and oxygen; and contacting a second catalyst with a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide and at least some of the hydrogen produced from step (a) in order to photocatalyse the reaction between the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, and/or substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol. In an embodiment, the catalyst comprises gold and or ruthenium nanoclusters supported on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for the production of hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol, or the production of hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of contacting a first catalyst with water in order to photocatalyse the splitting of at least some of the water into hydrogen and oxygen; and contacting a second catalyst with a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide and at least some of the hydrogen produced from step (a) in order to photocatalyse the reaction between the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, and/or substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol. In an embodiment, the catalyst comprises gold and or ruthenium nanoclusters supported on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a colloid of metallic nanoparticles including the steps of: providing metal ions in solution; providing a stabilizing agent; and reducing said metal ions in the presence of said stabilizing agent, so that metallic nanoparticles are formed with a surrounding layer of said stabilizing agent, wherein the reduction step is carried out at a temperature of not less than 20° C. and not more than 150° C. The metallic nanoparticles are formed of a mixture of transition metal and noble metal, such as Ni—Pd. The resultant nanoparticles have a high stability in terms of size and chemical degradation and so can be stored for long periods. They are therefore particularly suited for forming patterned nanoparticle arrays on a substrate by nanocontact printing for the subsequent formation of a corresponding array of carbon nanotubes or nanofibers via plasma enhanced CVD.