Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst structure includes providing a catalyst support structure having a core and an inner carbide film on the core, depositing catalyst nanoparticles on the catalyst support structure, and forming an outer carbide film on the catalyst support structure after the step of depositing catalyst nanoparticles. The outer carbide film is preferentially formed on the catalyst support structure compared to the catalyst particles.

Abstract: A method for providing superadsorption of polar organic compounds using a material system is provided. The method can comprise enhancing adsorption by means of using high surface area and mass transfer rates and decreased reactivity at surface sites attractive to the polar compounds; and employing consequence management by maintaining a high rate of adsorptivity combined with high fidelity and accuracy of the material system. A modified superadsorbent material for air sampling applications comprising a superadsorbent material treated with a solution, thereby forming a treated superadsorbent material, wherein the treated superadsorbent material is substantially hydrophobic and is capable of adsorbing polar compounds.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one graphene-supported assembly, which comprises a three-dimensional network of graphene sheets crosslinked by covalent carbon bonds, and at least one metal chalcogenide compound disposed on said graphene sheets, wherein the chalcogen of said metal chalcogenide compound is selected from S, Se and Te. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the graphene-supported assembly, including graphene-supported MoS2. Monoliths with high surface area and conductivity can be achieved. Lower operating temperatures in some applications can be achieved. Pore size and volume can be tuned. Electrochemical methods can be used to make the materials.

Abstract: A catalyst structure comprising dispersed metal catalyst on support, wherein the support but not the metal catalyst can be observed using x-ray diffraction, and wherein the metal catalyst can be chemically detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a surface-modified carbon-comprising support, which comprises the following steps: (a) mixing of the carbon-comprising support with at least one metal compound, a carbon- and/or nitrogen-comprising organic substance and optionally a dispersion medium, (b) optionally evaporation of the dispersion medium at a temperature in the range from 40 to 200° C., (c) heating of the mixture to a temperature in the range from 500° C. to 1200° C. to form metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal oxycarbides, metal oxynitrides, metal carboxynitrides and/or metal carbonitrides on the carbon-comprising support. The invention further relates to a use of the surface-modified carbon-comprising support.

Abstract: The invention has an object of providing catalysts that are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential, have excellent durability and show high oxygen reducing ability. An aspect of the invention is directed to a process wherein metal carbonitride mixture particles or metal oxycarbonitride mixture particles are produced from an organometallic compound of a Group IV or V transition metal, a metal salt of a Group IV or V transition metal, or a mixture of these compounds using laser light as a light source.

Abstract: Iron/carbon (Fe/C) nanocomposite catalysts are prepared for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. A preparation method includes steps of mixing iron hydrate salts and a mesoporous carbon support to form a mixture, infiltrating the iron hydrate salts into the carbon support through melt infiltration of the mixture near a melting point of the iron hydrate salts, forming iron-carbide particles infiltrated into the carbon support through calcination of the iron hydrate salts infiltrated into the carbon support under a first atmosphere, and vacuum-drying the iron-carbide particles after passivation using ethanol. Using such catalysts, liquid hydrocarbons are produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst carrier having excellent durability and capable of attaining high catalytic ability without increasing the specific surface area thereof, and a catalyst obtainable by using the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier of the present invention comprises a metal oxycarbonitride, preferably the metal contained in the metal oxycarbonitride comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium, tin, indium, platinum, tantalum, zirconium, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, cerium, mercury, plutonium, gold, silver, iridium, palladium, yttrium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and nickel. Moreover, the catalyst of the present invention comprises the catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal supported on the catalyst carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed are metallized carbonaceous materials, processes for forming such materials, and electrodes and fuel cells comprising the disclosed materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides molybdenum and tungsten nanostructures, for example, nanosheets and nanoparticles, and methods of making and using same, including using such nanostructures as catlysts for hydrogen evolution reactions.

Abstract: A method of making iron and cobalt pre-catalysts and catalysts in activated, finished form suitable for use in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The pre-catalysts are prepared by mixing an iron or cobalt salt, a base, and a metal oxide textural promoter or support. The reaction is carried out in a solvent deficient environment. The resulting product is then calcined at temperatures of about 300-500° C. to produce a metal oxide. The catalysts are prepared by reducing the metal oxide in the presence of hydrogen at temperatures of about 300-500° C. and carbiding the reduced metal in the case of iron.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst carrier having excellent durability and capable of attaining high catalytic ability without increasing the specific surface area thereof, and a catalyst obtainable by using the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier of the present invention comprises a metal oxycarbonitride, preferably the metal contained in the metal oxycarbonitride comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium, tin, indium, platinum, tantalum, zirconium, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, cerium, mercury, plutonium, gold, silver, iridium, palladium, yttrium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and nickel. Moreover, the catalyst of the present invention comprises the catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal supported on the catalyst carrier.

Abstract: A nanoporous catalytic membrane which displays several unique features Including pores which can go through the entire thickness of the membrane. The membrane has a higher catalytic and product selectivity than conventional catalysts. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes serve as the catalyst substrate. This substrate is then subjected to Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), which allows the controlled narrowing of the pores from 40 nm to 10 nm in the substrate by deposition of a preparatory material. Subsequent deposition of a catalytic layer on the inner surfaces of the pores reduces pore sizes to less than 10 nm and allows for a higher degree of reaction selectivity. The small pore sizes allow control over which molecules enter the pores, and the flow-through feature can allow for partial oxidation of reactant species as opposed to complete oxidation. A nanoporous separation membrane, produced by ALD is also provided for use in gaseous and liquid separations.

Abstract: Catalysts of the invention are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential and have excellent durability and high oxygen reducing ability. The catalysts include a niobium oxycarbonitride represented by a compositional formula NbCxNyOz (wherein x, y and z represent a ratio of the numbers of the atoms, 0.05?x<0.7, 0.01?y<0.7, 0.4?z<2.5, 1.0<x+y+z<2.56, and 4.0?4x+3y+2z).

Abstract: Photocatalyst compositions and elements exhibiting desired photocatalytic activity levels and transparency.

Abstract: A photoactive material including nanoparticles of photoactive first and second constituents. The first and second constituents have respective conduction band energies, valence band energies and electronic band gap energies to enable photon-driven generation and separation of charge carriers in each of the first and second constituents by absorption of light in the solar spectrum. The first and second constituents are provided in an alternating layered arrangement of respective first and second layers or are mixed together in a single layer. The nanoparticles have diameters smaller than wavelengths of light in the solar spectrum, to provide optical transparency for absorption of light. The charge carriers, upon photoactivation, are able to participate in redox reactions occurring in the photoactive material. The photoactive material may enable redox reactions of carbon dioxide with at least one of hydrogen and water to produce a fuel.

Abstract: An iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising magnetite and characterized by integrable X-ray diffraction reflections corresponding to (311), (511), (440), and (400), such that the relative intensity of the (400) reflection to the (300) reflection is less than about 39%. A method of preparing an activated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by providing a precipitated catalyst comprising oxides including at least iron oxide; and activating the precipitated catalyst to provide the activated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, wherein activating the precipitated catalyst comprises exposing the precipitated catalyst to an activation gas and increasing the temperature from a first temperature to a second temperature at a ramp rate, whereby the ratio of the intensity of the (400) reflection of the activated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to the intensity of the (311) reflection thereof is less than 38%.

Abstract: There is described a photocatalyst composition of matter comprising a support material. A surface of the support material configured to comprise: (i) a first catalytic material for catalyzing the conversion of H2O to H2 and O2, and (ii) a second catalytic material catalyzing reaction of hydrogen with a target compound. The photocatalyst composition of matter can be used to treat an aqueous fluid containing a target chemical compound, for example, by a process comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the aqueous fluid with the above-mentioned photocatalyst composition of matter; (ii) contacting the aqueous fluid with radiation during Step (i); (iii) catalyzing the conversion of water in the aqueous fluid to H2 and O2 with the first catalytic material; and (iv) catalyzing reaction of the target chemical compound in the aqueous fluid with hydrogen from Step (iii) in the presence of the second catalytic material to produce a modified chemical compound.

Abstract: A nanocomposite coating and method of making and using the coating. The nanocomposite coating is disposed on a base material, such as a metal or ceramic; and the nanocomposite consists essentially of a matrix of an alloy selected from the group of Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt and Re which are catalytically active for cracking of carbon bonds in oils and greases and a grain structure selected from the group of borides, carbides and nitrides.

Abstract: A catalyst composition contains an active metal on a support including a high surface area substrate and an interstitial compound, for example molybdenum carbide. Pt—Mo2C/Al2O3 catalysts are described. The catalyst systems and compositions are useful for carrying out reactions generally related to the water gas shift reaction (WGS) and to the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) process.

Abstract: A method of forming nano-structure composite materials that have a binder material and a nanostructure fiber material is described. A precursor material may be formed using a mixture of at least one metal powder and anchored nanostructure materials. The metal powder mixture may be (a) Ni powder and (b) NiAl powder. The anchored nanostructure materials may comprise (i) NiAl powder as a support material and (ii) carbon nanotubes attached to nanoparticles adjacent to a surface of the support material. The process of forming nano-structure composite materials typically involves sintering the mixture under vacuum in a die. When Ni and NiAl are used in the metal powder mixture Ni3Al may form as the binder material after sintering. The mixture is sintered until it consolidates to form the nano-structure composite material.

Abstract: A supported catalyst includes a plurality of support particles that each include a carbon support and a layer disposed around the carbon support. The layer is selected from a metal carbide, metal oxycarbide, and combinations thereof. A catalytic material is disposed on the layers of the support particles.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst comprises a support having a core arranged on the support. In one example, the core includes palladium nanoparticles. A layer, which is gold in one example, is arranged on the core. A platinum overlayer is arranged on the gold layer. The intermediate gold layer greatly increases the mass activity of the platinum compared to catalysts in which platinum is deposited directly onto the palladium without any intermediate gold layer.

Abstract: Tungsten carbide catalysts are used in preparation of ethylene glycol by hydrogenating degradation of cellulose. The catalyst includes tungsten carbide as main catalytic active component, added with small amount of one or more transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, iron, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and copper as the second metal, supported on one or more porous complex supports such as active carbon, alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, silicon carbide, zirconium oxide, for conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol. The catalyst realizes high efficiency, high selectivity, and high yield in the conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol at the temperature of 120-300° C., hydrogen pressure of 1-10 MPa, and hydrothermal conditions. Compared to the existing industrial synthetic method of ethylene glycol using ethylene as feedstock, the invention has the advantages of using renewable raw material resources, environment friendly process, and excellent atom economy.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the process involves a generate a catalyst that comprises molybdenum carbide nickel material. Steps may involve heating a surface that comprises molybdenum oxide and a nickel salt while passing thereover a gaseous mixture that comprises a reductant and a carburizer. In certain embodiments, the reductant and the carburizer may both be carbon monoxide, or both be a saturated hydrocarbon. In others, the reductant may be carbon monoxide and the carburizer may be a saturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of heterogeneous catalysis, and more particularly to catalysts including carbon supports having compositions which comprise one or more transition metals in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon formed on or over the surface of the carbon support. The present invention also relates to catalyst combinations comprising catalysts including carbon supports having compositions which comprise one or more transition metals in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon formed on or over the surface of a carbon support and a secondary catalyst or, co-catalyst, including a secondary transition metal. The invention further relates to the field of catalytic oxidation reactions, including the preparation of secondary amines by the catalytic oxidation of tertiary amines.

Abstract: A method for treating a supported catalyst includes establishing shell-removal conditions for a supported catalyst that includes nanoparticles of a catalyst material on a carbon support. The nanoparticles each include a platinum alloy core capped in an organic shell. The shell-removal conditions include an elevated temperature and an inert gas atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. The organic shell is then removed from the platinum alloy core in the shell-removal conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to SiC nanostructures, including SiC nanopowder, SiC nanowires, and composites of SiC nanopowder and nanowires, which can be used as catalyst supports in membrane electrode assemblies and in fuel cells. The present invention also relates to composite catalyst supports comprising nanopowder and one or more inorganic nanowires for a membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: Cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieves (OMS-2) supported Fe and Co catalysts are utilized in a method for producing hydrocarbons by a Fischer-Tropsch mechanism. The hydrocarbon producing method includes providing a catalyst of a manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve nanofibers with an active catalyst component of at least one of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, vanadium, zinc, and mixtures thereof, and further containing an alkali metal. The formation of iron carbides and cobalt carbides by exposing the catalyst to conditions sufficient to form those carbides is also taught. After the catalyst has been appropriately treated, a carbon source and a hydrogen source are provided and contacted with the catalyst to thereby form a hydrocarbon containing product. The catalyst have high catalytic activity and selectivity (75%) for C2+ hydrocarbons in both CO hydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulphided multi-metallic catalyst, a process for obtaining it by preparing a metal mixture and subsequent sulphidation thereof and its use in a process for producing higher alcohols (C2+), mainly ethanol, through the catalytic conversion of synthesis gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulphided multi-metallic catalyst, the process for obtaining it by sulphidation of a multi-metallic solid and use thereof in a process for producing higher alcohols (C2+), mainly ethanol, through the catalytic conversion of synthesis gas.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a method of making a catalytic material, and uses of the material. The catalytic material is made by depositing catalytic metals, such as gold or platinum, on substrate materials, such as lanthanum-doped ceria or other oxides. The catalytic metal, which comprises both crystalline and non-crystalline structures, is treated, for example with aqueous basic NaCN solution, to leach away at least some of the crystalline metallic component. The remaining noncrystalline metallic component associated with the substrate exhibits catalytic activity that is substantially similar to the catalyst as prepared. The use of the catalyst in an apparatus such as a reactor or analytic instrument is contemplated, as is the use of the catalyst in efficient, cost-effective reactions, such as removal of carbon monoxide from fuel gases, for example by performing the water gas shift reaction.

Abstract: A supported tungsten carbide catalyst comprises tungsten carbide as its active component and a mesoporous carbon as its support, wherein tungsten carbide is highly dispersed on the surface and in the channels of the mesoporous carbon, and the content of tungsten element is in the range from 30% to 42% by mass based on the mesoporous carbon. This catalyst can be prepared by impregnation process. This catalyst can be used for the direct catalytic conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol under the hydrothermal conditions and at a temperature of 245° C. and the hydrogen pressure of 6 MPa with high reactivity, selectivity and stability.

Abstract: The provision of beautiful colored titanium which is excellent in adhesion of the pure titanium or a titanium alloy with the base material, is excellent in photocatalytic activity, and further is excellent in design properties and a method of production of the same which is excellent in productivity and uses an anodic oxidation process is made the object. A titanium-based material having visible light response and excellent in photocatalytic activity characterized in that the material has pure titanium or titanium alloy as a base material, a thickness of a titanium oxide layer which is present on its surface is 0.1 ?m to 5.0 ?m in range, said titanium oxide layer contains anatase-type titanium dioxide and titanium bonded with hydroxy groups, and further said titanium oxide layer contains nitrogen and carbon respectively in 0.5 to 30 mass %.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst precursor and a catalyst suitable for preparing multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The resulting multi-wall carbon nanotubes have a narrow distribution as to the number of walls forming the tubes and a narrow distribution in the range of diameters for the tubes. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for producing multi-wall carbon nanotubes having narrow distributions in the number of walls and diameters. Further, the present invention provides a composition of spent catalyst carrying multi-wall nanotubes having narrow distribution ranges of walls and diameters.

Abstract: An oxidation catalyst comprises an extruded solid body comprising: 10-95% by weight of at least one binder/matrix component; 5-90% by weight of a zeolitic molecular sieve, a non-zeolitic molecular sieve or a mixture of any two or more thereof; and 0-80% by weight optionally stabilised ceria, which catalyst comprising at least one precious metal and optionally at least one non-precious metal, wherein: (i) a majority of the at least one precious metal is located at a surface of the extruded solid body; (ii) the at least one precious metal is carried in one or more coating layer(s) on a surface; (iii) at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body and in a higher concentration at a surface; (iv) at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body and in a coating layer(s) on a surface; or (v) a combination of (ii) and (iii).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a surface-modified carbon-comprising support, which comprises the following steps: (a) mixing of the carbon-comprising support with at least one metal compound, a carbon- and/or nitrogen-comprising organic substance and optionally a dispersion medium, (b) optionally evaporation of the dispersion medium at a temperature in the range from 40 to 200° C., (c) heating of the mixture to a temperature in the range from 500° C. to 1200° C. to form metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal oxycarbides, metal oxynitrides, metal carboxynitrides and/or metal carbonitrides on the carbon-comprising support. The invention further relates to a use of the surface-modified carbon-comprising support.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode catalyst, and a fuel cell including the electrode catalyst. The electrode catalyst has excellent electrochemical activity compared to the currently commercially available Pt/C catalyst and is much cheaper than a catalyst using platinum. The electrode catalyst includes tungsten carbide having a specific surface area of about 10 to about 30 m2/g, and a metal catalyst comprising palladium (Pd) or palladium alloy.

Abstract: A catalyst support for an electrochemical system includes a high surface area carbon core structure and a surface modifier modifying the surface of the carbon core structure. The surface modifier includes boron-doped diamond (BDD) and a high surface area refractory material. The high surface area refractory material includes metal oxides, metal phosphates, metal borides, metal nitrides, metal silicides, metal carbides and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Method for producing a hydrogen storage material that includes a metal hydride and a non-hydrogenated material and that is doped with a metal as a catalyst, includes; mixing a catalyst precursor, which includes the metal, with the non-hydrogenated material so as to provide a first mixture; agitating the first mixture; thermally treating the first mixture so as to form a composite of the non-hydrogenated material and the metal; mixing the composite with the metal hydride so as to provide a second mixture; and grinding the second mixture so as to provide the hydrogen storage material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a catalyst, where the catalyst comprises a catalytically active material and a carbon-comprising support, in which the carbon-comprising support is impregnated with a metal salt solution in a first step, the carbon-comprising support impregnated with the metal salt solution is subsequently heated to a temperature of at least 1500° C. in an inert atmosphere to form a metal carbide layer and the catalytically active material is finally applied to the carbon-comprising support provided with the metal carbide layer. The invention further provides a catalyst which has been produced by the process and comprises a carbon-comprising support and a catalytically active material, with the carbon-comprising support having a metal carbide layer and the catalytically active material having been applied to the carbon-comprising support provided with the metal carbide layer.

Abstract: A coating suitable for use as a wear-resistant coating for a gas turbine engine component comprises a lubricating material and a hard carbide material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the catalyst assembly includes a two-dimension (2-D) extensive catalyst having a catalyst crystal plane; and a substrate supporting the 2-D extensive catalyst and having a substrate crystal plane in substantial alignment with the catalyst crystal plane. In certain instances, the catalyst crystal plane includes first and second adjacent catalyst atoms defining a catalyst atomic distance, the substrate crystal plane includes first and second adjacent substrate atoms defining a substrate atomic distance, a percent difference between the catalyst and substrate atomic distances is less than 10 percent.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a photocatalytic composite material comprising (a) a first component that generates a photoexcited electron and has at least a certain minimum bandgap to absorb visible light and a structure that substantially prevents the recombination of the photoexcited electron and a hole; (b) a second component that adsorbs/absorbs an oxide of carbon; and (c) a third component that splits the oxide of carbon into carbon and oxygen using the photoexcited electron.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell having comparable electrochemical activity as a platinum electrode catalyst but is much cheaper than the platinum electrode catalyst has a structure in which palladium and at least one metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of nickel, gold, iron, and silver, and combinations thereof, are supported on a tungsten carbide and carbon mesoporous composite support. A membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell including the electrode catalyst also has comparable electrochemical activity as a platinum electrode catalyst but is also much cheaper than the platinum electrode catalyst.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst for a fuel cell includes an Ru—Se alloy having an average particle size of less than or equal to 6 nm. The Ru—Se alloy is amorphous catalyst. A membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell system include the cathode catalyst. A catalyst for a fuel cell is prepared by drying a ruthenium solution including a water-soluble ruthenium precursor to obtain a first dried product; subjecting the first dried product to a first heat-treatment to obtain a heat-treated product; adding an Se solution including a water-soluble Se precursor to the heat-treated product to obtain a mixture; drying the mixture to obtain a second dried product including ruthenium and Se; and subjecting the second dried product to second heat-treatment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a visible light responsive photocatalyst powder has organic gas decomposition performance that responds nonlinearly to an amount of irradiated light under visible light in an illuminance range of not less than 200 lx nor more than 2500 lx. The visible light responsive photocatalyst powder has a gas decomposition rate of 20% or more, for example, when visible light having only a wavelength of not less than 380 nm and an illuminance of 2500 lx is irradiated, the gas decomposition rate (%) being set as a value calculated based on [formula: (A?B)/A×100], where A represents a gas concentration before light irradiation and B represents a gas concentration when not less than 15 minutes have elapsed from the light irradiation and, at the same time, the gas concentration is stable, the gas concentrations being measured while allowing an acetaldehyde gas having an initial concentration of 10 ppm to flow into a flow-type apparatus in which 0.2 g of a sample is placed.

Abstract: The present invention includes Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, reactions using Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, methods of making Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, processes of hydrogenating carbon monoxide, and fuels made using these processes. The invention provides the ability to hydrogenate carbon monoxide with low contact times, good conversion rates and low methane selectivities. In a preferred method, the catalyst is made using a metal foam support.

Abstract: Disclosed are metallized carbonaceous materials, processes for forming such materials, and electrodes and fuel cells comprising the disclosed materials.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing carbon nanocoils with high efficiency, by determining the structure of carbon nuclei that have been attached to the ends of carbon nanocoils and thus specifying a true catalyst for synthesizing carbon nanocoils is implemented. The catalyst for synthesizing carbon nanocoils according to the present invention is a carbide catalyst that contains at least elements (a transition metal element, In, C) or (a transition metal element, Sn, C), and in particular, it is preferable for the transition metal element to be Fe, Co or Ni. In addition to this carbide catalyst, a metal catalyst of (Fe, Al, Sn) and (Fe, Cr, Sn) are effective. From among these, catalysts such as Fe3InC0.5, Fe3InC0.5Snw and Fe3SnC are particularly preferable. The wire diameter and the coil diameter can be controlled by using a catalyst where any of these catalysts is carried by a porous carrier.