Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing a new type of catalyst for the oxidation of CO in a reactant gas or air. The method provides the preparation of a catalyst having nano-sized metal particles and a capping agent deposited on a solid support. The size and distribution of the metal particles can be easily controlled by adjusting reaction condition and the capping agent used. The catalyst prepared has high activity at low temperature toward selective oxidation of CO and is stable over an extended period of time. The catalyst can be used in air filter devices, hydrogen purification processes, automotive emission control devices (decomposition of NOx, x is the integer 1 or 2), F-T synthesis, preparation of fuel-cell electrode, photocatalysis and sensors.

Abstract: A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion containing a metal oxide powder with a fine fraction and a coarse fraction, in which—the metal oxide powder is silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, cerium oxide or a mixed oxide of two or more of the aforementioned metal oxides,—the fine fraction is present in aggregated form and has a mean aggregate diameter in the dispersion of less than 200 nm,—the coarse fraction consists of particles with a mean diameter of 1 to 20 ?m, —the ratio of fine fraction to coarse fraction is 2:98 to 30:70, and—the content of metal oxide powder is 50 to 85 wt. %, referred to the total amount of the dispersion. The aqueous dispersion is produced by a process comprising the steps:—production of a fine fraction dispersion by dispersing the pulverulent fine fraction in water by means of an energy input of at least 200 KJ/m3?, and—introducing the coarse fraction in the form of a powder into the fine fraction dispersion under dispersing conditions at a low energy input.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing nanomaterial dispersions, such as nanomaterial concentrates, and related nanotechnology are provided. The nanomaterial concentrates provided can be more cheaply stored and transported compared to non-concentrate nanomaterial forms.

Abstract: An improved gas diffusion electrode composed of a perovskite-type oxide dispersed in a mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic binder polymer. An improved catalyst for use in the electrochemical reduction of oxygen comprising a perovskite-type compound having alpha and beta sites, and having a greater molar ratio of cations at the beta site. A particularly good reduction catalyst is a neodymium calcium manganite. An improved method of dispersing the catalysts with carbon in a reaction layer of the electrode improves performance of the electrode and the oxygen reduction process. This is provided by adding carbon black to an aqueous solution of metal salts before it is heated to a gel and then to a char and then calcined. Optionally, a quantity of the desired oxide catalyst can be premixed with a portion the carbon before adding the carbon to an aqueous solution of the metal salts to be heated.

Abstract: Iron composite particles for purifying soil or ground water, comprise ?-Fe and magnetite, and having a ratio of a diffraction intensity D110 of (110) plane of ?-Fe to a sum of a diffraction intensity D311 of (311) plane of magnetite and the diffraction intensity D110 (D110/(D311+D110)) of 0.30 to 0.95 as measured from X-ray diffraction spectrum of the iron composite particles, an Al content of 0.10 to 1.50% by weight and an S content of 3500 to 7000 ppm; a process for producing the iron composite particles; a purifying agent containing the iron composite particles; a process for producing the purifying agent; and a method for purifying soil or ground water.

Abstract: Comb polymers are used as dispersants to increase the stability of colloidal suspensions containing multivalent or high concentrations of monovalent ions. Stabilized colloidal suspensions and methods of forming stabilized colloidal suspensions are described, including suspensions containing ceramic precursors or bioactive agents useful in forming ceramic substrates or pharmaceutical compositions, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of particles of nano-materials being transition metals and alloys; metal oxides; and ceramic compositions having a small nanosize, i.e. about 1-6 nm. The method comprises a synthesis in the solutions of complex liquids from suitable precursors, which precursors are selected from suitable surfactants and alkoxides, by a suitable chemical reaction under mild conditions; and preparing from said materials fine colloids dispersed in various polymer solutions. The water in the solution is preferably non freezing water, the mild conditions are atmospheric pressure and a temperature range of room temperature to 70° C., and the reaction condition is selected among a hydrolysis, reduction and exchange process.

Abstract: Amphiphilic block copolymers are used as structure-directing agents for the production of superparamagnetic nanostructured material. A block copolymer solution containing an amphiphilic block copolymer is formed. A sol-gel precursor is formed by hydrolyzing and condensing a silicate precursor solution. An iron precursor is added to either the block copolymer solution or the sol-gel precursor. The sol-gel precursor is mixed with the block copolymer solution to form a hybrid inorganic nanostructured material. Solvent is then removed resulting in the formation of individual nanostructured material which is calcinated to form the superparamagnetic nanostructured material. The resulting superparamagnetic nanostructured material may be in the shape of a sphere, a cylinder, lamellae, or a mesoporous structure.

Abstract: A stable modified metal oxide sol which contains from 2 to 50 wt %, as calculated as metal oxides, of particles (c) comprising colloidal particles (a) of a metal oxide having primary particle diameters of from 2 to 60 nm, as nuclei, and a coating material (b) consisting of colloidal particles of an acidic oxide coated on the surface of the particles (a), and which has primary particle diameters of from 2 to 100 nm.

Abstract: A method for the remediation of contaminated soil directly and effectively removes the contaminants such as organic halides from the contaminated soil, using remediation agents for soil. In more detail, the agents include a slurry of fine iron particles in which the fine iron particles having average particle size less than 10 &mgr;m are dispersed in water; and an aqueous suspended liquid that contains fine iron particles having average particle size less of 1 to 200 &mgr;m and a hydrophilic binder; and these agents are employable for the method for the remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: A grinding composition is disclosed for the grinding particulate metal containing minerals containing as a grinding aid at least one hydroxy-carboxylic acid of five to six carbon atoms, containing at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl groups, or its soluble salts.