Methods for monitoring catalytic chemical reactions are provided. Such a method may comprise (a) exposing a solid surface to conditions to induce a chemical reaction of reactants at an interface formed between the solid surface and a liquid crystal, wherein the solid surface catalyzes the chemical reaction and the liquid crystal is characterized by an anchoring orientation that changes during the chemical reaction; and (b) measuring the anchoring orientation of the liquid crystal at one or more time points and at one or more locations on the solid surface during step (a). Systems for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Methods for monitoring catalytic chemical reactions are provided. Such a method may comprise (a) exposing a solid surface to conditions to induce a chemical reaction of reactants at an interface formed between the solid surface and a liquid crystal, wherein the solid surface catalyzes the chemical reaction and the liquid crystal is characterized by an anchoring orientation that changes during the chemical reaction; and (b) measuring the anchoring orientation of the liquid crystal at one or more time points and at one or more locations on the solid surface during step (a). Systems for carrying out the methods are also provided.

A sample heating unit 30 has a space in which an oxidation catalyst is arranged, and heats a sample arranged in the space. A carrier gas introduction unit 40 introduces inert gas containing water vapor as carrier gas into the sample heating unit 30. A detection unit 35 detects carbon dioxide generated by steam reforming reaction of organic carbon in a sample in the sample heating unit 30.

A sample heating unit 30 has a space in which an oxidation catalyst is arranged, and heats a sample arranged in the space. A carrier gas introduction unit 40 introduces inert gas containing water vapor as carrier gas into the sample heating unit 30. A detection unit 35 detects carbon dioxide generated by steam reforming reaction of organic carbon in a sample in the sample heating unit 30.

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 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.

Disclosed herein is a hydrogen detecting sensor that includes a sulfide-metal catalyst, such that hydrogen gas can be detected visibly with naked eyes. Particularly, the hydrogen detecting sensor includes a substrate, a sulfide layer formed on the substrate and chemically discolored when exposed to hydrogen, and a metal catalytic layer formed on the sulfide layer.

Disclosed herein is a hydrogen detecting sensor that includes a sulfide-metal catalyst, such that hydrogen gas can be detected visibly with naked eyes. Particularly, the hydrogen detecting sensor includes a substrate, a sulfide layer formed on the substrate and chemically discolored when exposed to hydrogen, and a metal catalytic layer formed on the sulfide layer.

This productivity evaluation method is for evaluating productivity of a chemical substance in a process comprising a first step of obtaining gas from a waste material and a second step of synthesizing a chemical substance from the gas obtained in the first step in the presence of a catalyst, said method including: a first carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carbon contained in the waste material, a second carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carbon contained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and a productivity evaluation stage of evaluating the productivity of the chemical substance based on values of the mass of carbon which are calculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the second carbon mass calculation stage.

This productivity evaluation method is for evaluating productivity of a chemical substance in a process comprising a first step of obtaining gas from a waste material and a second step of synthesizing a chemical substance from the gas obtained in the first step in the presence of a catalyst, said method including: a first carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carbon contained in the waste material, a second carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carbon contained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and a productivity evaluation stage of evaluating the productivity of the chemical substance based on values of the mass of carbon which are calculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the second carbon mass calculation stage.