A catalytic nanoparticle can include a nanodiamond core, a thin-layer polymeric film applied to an outer surface of the nanodiamond core, and a catalyst immobilized at an outer surface of the thin-layer polymeric film. The nanoparticles can also be used in connection with a transducer to form a sensor. A method of catalysis can include contacting the catalytic nanoparticle with a reactant in a reaction area. The reactant can be capable of forming a reaction product via a reaction catalyzed by the catalyst. The method of catalysis can also include facilitating a catalytic interaction between the catalytic nanoparticle and the reactant.

A method for manufacturing a gas sensor may be provided, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a metal nanowire; manufacturing a thermoelectric composite by adding a polymer bead to the metal nanowire, and then mechanically mixing same; manufacturing a thermoelectric layer by hot-pressing the thermoelectric composite; forming a first electrode on the upper surface of the thermoelectric layer, and forming a second electrode on the lower surface of the thermoelectric layer; and disposing a heating catalyst layer on the first electrode.

A method that determines a cause for the impaired performance of a catalytic configuration of the exhaust gas of a combustion engine (231), the method including determining (s410) a course of a NOx-conversion ratio; determining (s420) a prevailing temperature of the catalytic configuration; increasing (s430) the temperature of the catalytic configuration from a prevailing temperature below a predetermined temperature value (Te) to a temperature (TSred) above the predetermined temperature value above which sulphur is removed from the catalytic configuration; and/or decreasing (s440) the temperature of the catalytic configuration from a prevailing temperature (TSred) above the predetermined temperature value (Te) to a temperature below the predetermined temperature value so as to impair the performance of the catalytic configuration in case sulphur is present; and determining (s450) one cause out of a set of causes on the basis of the course of the NOx-conversion ratio thus determined.

A method that determines a cause for the impaired performance of a catalytic configuration of the exhaust gas of a combustion engine (231), the method including determining (s410) a course of a NOx-conversion ratio; determining (s420) a prevailing temperature of the catalytic configuration; increasing (s430) the temperature of the catalytic configuration from a prevailing temperature below a predetermined temperature value (Te) to a temperature (TSred) above the predetermined temperature value above which sulphur is removed from the catalytic configuration; and/or decreasing (s440) the temperature of the catalytic configuration from a prevailing temperature (TSred) above the predetermined temperature value (Te) to a temperature below the predetermined temperature value so as to impair the performance of the catalytic configuration in case sulphur is present; and determining (s450) one cause out of a set of causes on the basis of the course of the NOx-conversion ratio thus determined.

Disclosed are a zero-power detecting sensor of a chemical substance and a sensing method. As light is irradiated to the detecting sensor including a graphene, a light absorbing layer, and an electrode stacked, the chemical substance is detected without power.

Disclosed are a zero-power detecting sensor of a chemical substance and a sensing method. As light is irradiated to the detecting sensor including a graphene, a light absorbing layer, and an electrode stacked, the chemical substance is detected without power.

A gas flow chamber device and method for in-situ time-dependent attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy for monitoring solid-gas and liquid-gas chemical reactions in a gaseous flowing medium (gas or vapor) within a controlled environment includes a flow chamber enclosure attached to the infrared spectrometer, such that it covers the specimen on the ATR plate of the infrared spectrometer; a flow chamber inlet port to provide the gaseous flowing medium of desired chemical composition inside the chamber and in contact with the specimen; and a flow chamber outlet port to provide for the exhaust of the gaseous flowing medium from the flow chamber after the gaseous flowing medium has been in contact with the solid or liquid specimen.

A gas flow chamber device and method for in-situ time-dependent attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy for monitoring solid-gas and liquid-gas chemical reactions in a gaseous flowing medium (gas or vapor) within a controlled environment includes a flow chamber enclosure attached to the infrared spectrometer, such that it covers the specimen on the ATR plate of the infrared spectrometer; a flow chamber inlet port to provide the gaseous flowing medium of desired chemical composition inside the chamber and in contact with the specimen; and a flow chamber outlet port to provide for the exhaust of the gaseous flowing medium from the flow chamber after the gaseous flowing medium has been in contact with the solid or liquid specimen.

A method that includes estimating an ammonia adsorption amount of a NOx selective reduction catalyst; detecting a catalytic temperature of the catalyst; and estimating a slip amount of ammonia that is an amount of ammonia discharged into a portion of an exhaust passage on a downstream side of the catalyst based on the estimated ammonia adsorption amount and the detected catalytic temperature, and in the estimating of the slip amount of ammonia, for a same estimated ammonia adsorption amount, an increase in the estimated slip amount of ammonia with respect to an increase in the detected catalytic temperature is larger in a case where the detected catalytic temperature is a first value than in a case where the detected catalytic temperature is a second value that is smaller than the first value.

A method that includes estimating an ammonia adsorption amount of a NOx selective reduction catalyst; detecting a catalytic temperature of the catalyst; and estimating a slip amount of ammonia that is an amount of ammonia discharged into a portion of an exhaust passage on a downstream side of the catalyst based on the estimated ammonia adsorption amount and the detected catalytic temperature, and in the estimating of the slip amount of ammonia, for a same estimated ammonia adsorption amount, an increase in the estimated slip amount of ammonia with respect to an increase in the detected catalytic temperature is larger in a case where the detected catalytic temperature is a first value than in a case where the detected catalytic temperature is a second value that is smaller than the first value.