Abstract: The invention relates to catalysts for the methanation of carbon monoxide, which comprise metal-doped nickel oxide of the composition (in mol %) (M1)a(M2)bNicOxwhere a=0.1 to 5 mol %, b=3 to 20 mol % and c=100?(a+b) mol % and M1 comprises at least one metal of transition group VII or VIII of the PTE (=Periodic Table of the Elements) and M2 comprises at least one metal of transition group III or IV of the PTE. The catalysts can be used as pure catalysts or as supported catalysts, if appropriate applied as coatings to an inert support body. They display high conversion and high selectivity and are used in methanation processes of CO in hydrogen-containing gas mixtures, in particular in reformates for operation of fuel cells. The catalysts of the invention can be prepared by precipitation, impregnation, sol-gel methods, sintering processes or by powder synthesis.

Abstract: A method for the combinatorial development of materials in which heat changes caused by chemical or physical processed with materials of combinatorial libraries are visualized using heat different images form an infrared camera. As said libraries, all kinds of material libraries, such as heterogeneous or homogeneous catalysts or enzymes, can be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the wet chemical preparation of materials libraries consisting of a large number of solids, the solids being deposited from reaction mixtures in microreaction chambers onto a bottom plate which simultaneously serves as the library substrate. Depending on the material selected for the library substrate, the solids can subsequently be examined non-destructively, for example, by reflecting or penetrating microarea X-ray diffraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to the catalytic activity and selectivity of microporous, amorphous glasses of mixed metal oxides and the application thereof in the form of shape selective, heterogeneous catalysts. Microporous, amorphous mixed metal oxides (glasses) can be formed by polycondensation of soluble metal compounds. These new materials show a temperature stability up to 800° C. These amorphous glasses shown in heterocatalytic reactions selective oxidation, hydrogenation, hydrocracking and condensation catalysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the catalytic activity and selectivity of microporous, amorphous glasses of mixed metal oxides and the application thereof in the form of shape selective, heterogeneous catalysts. Microporous, amorphous mixed metal oxides (glasses) can be formed by polycondensation of soluble metal compounds. These new materials show a temperature stability up to 800° C. These amorphous glasses show in heterocatalytic reactions selective oxidation, hydrogenation, hydrocracking and condensation catalysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amorphous microporous mixed oxides, characterized by having, in dried form, a narrow pore size distribution (half width <.+-.10% of the pore diameter) of micropores with diameters in the range of <3 nm and a total surface area of between 20 and 1000 m.sup.2 /g, containing a fraction of from 0.1 to 20% by weight of non-hydrolyzable organic groups, and to a process for the preparation of such oxides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a poison-resistant catalytically active microporous membrane to be used for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, which membrane is characterized in that it is permeable to one of the reactants separated by said membrane, and that it is impermeable to the other reactants and the contaminants contained therein, the molecules of all of which are larger in size than the pore size of the membrane, and to a process for carrying out a heterogeneously catalyzed reaction under conditions preventing the catalyst from being poisoned. This membrane allows to conduct three-phase reactions in a new manner, whereby the reaction gas is directly transported to the active sites.

Abstract: The invention relates to a poison-resistant catalytically active microporous membrane to be used for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, which membrane is characterized in that it is permeable to one of the reactants separated by said membrane, and that it is impermeable to the other reactants and the contaminants contained therein, the molecules of all of which are larger in size than the pore size of the membrane, and to a process for carrying out a heterogeneously catalyzed reaction under conditions preventing the catalyst from being poisoned. This membrane allows to conduct three-phase reactions in a new manner, whereby the reaction gas is directly transported to the active sites.

Abstract: Microporous membranes for the separation of gas and liquid mixtures. The new membranes show a temperature stability up to 500.degree. C. and a gas separation with separation factors better than the Knudsen limit. Continuous microporous inorganic membranes of any desirable thickness can be prepared by e-beam evaporation of metal oxides on a support membrane, which has substantially larger pores than the metal oxide membrane. It is advantageous when the support membrane consists of the same material as the microporous membrane. The membranes are of porous structure with a narrow pore size distribution of pores, where the majority of the pores have diameters smaller than 1 nm. The membranes can be used in all areas of gas and liquid separation, where the selective separation of smaller molecules from mixtures is desired (f.e.