Provided is a method for manufacturing nanostructured layered double hydroxides (LDHs) having a uniform size distribution with homogenous nano-disc morphology. Disclosed method has three main steps of: pretreatment of metal wires; wire-explosion in a liquid phase; and finally, centrifugation and drying the as-prepared colloidal products to obtain the LDHs nanostructured dried powder.

An oxidic composition comprising vanadium, tungsten, phosphorus, oxygen and optionally tin, where the molar ratio of phosphorus to the sum total of vanadium, tungsten and any tin in the oxidic composition is in the range from 1.4:1 to 2.4:1.

Catalyst compositions for production of higher alcohols comprise a hydrotalcite or hydrotalcite-like support impregnated with molybdenum and an alkali metal. When the compositions are used to convert syngas, selectivity to higher (C2+) alcohols is increased in comparison to conversions accomplished over many other catalyst systems.

A process is described for reducing the total acid number of a refinery feedstock. In one embodiment, refinery feedstock containing naphthenic acids is contacted with an effective amount of solid catalyst in the presence of an aqueous caustic base, wherein the caustic base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, for a period of time sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the naphthenic acids in the feedstock. Thereafter, the aqueous phase is separated from the neutralized refinery feedstock. In another embodiment catalyst is pretreated with a caustic base solution and contacted with refinery feedstock to reducing the total acid number.

Solid base catalysts and their use for the base-catalyzed depolymerization (BCD) of lignin to compounds such as aromatics are presented herein. Exemplary catalysts include layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as recyclable, heterogeneous catalysts for BCD of lignin.

A process for the preparation of nano-oxide coated catalysts useful for the treatment of toxic gases by coating of composite materials containing LDHs over ceramic monolithic substrates. The process combines reacting oxides and salts of metals so as to prepare LDHs or mixed metal layered hydroxides possessing positive layer charge, from which a stable gel is prepared by adding swellable clay having a negative charge in different LDH:clay ratio in an aqueous medium and homogenizing the same in a high intensity ultrasonic processor. The gel is then dip-coated over cordierite/mulite honey-comb monolithic supports at various dipping and withdrawal rates. The dip-coated monoliths are then dried and calcined at different temperatures to develop the alumino-silicate supported nano-oxide coats over honey-comb ceramic substrates for carrying out decomposition of N20 gas in a He flow in various flow rates at 400 to 600 C. temperature in a cylindrical quartz tube.

Disclosed are a catalyst composition for oxidative dehydrogenation and a method of preparing the same. More particularly, disclosed is a catalyst composition comprising a multi-ingredient-based metal oxide catalyst and a mixed metal hydroxide. The catalyst composition and the method of preparing the same according to the present disclosure may prevent loss occurring in a filling process due to superior mechanical durability and wear according to long-term use, may inhibit polymer formation and carbon deposition during reaction, and may provide a superior conversion rate and superior selectivity.

Hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof are dehydrated using a catalyst and a method to produce bio-acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof. A method to produce the dehydration catalyst is also provided.

Hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof are dehydrated using a catalyst and a method to produce bio-acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof. A method to produce the dehydration catalyst is also provided.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and system for converting ethanol to para-xylene. The method also provides a pathway to produce terephthalic acid from biomass-based feedstocks. In some embodiments, the disclosed method produces p-xylene with high selectivity over other aromatics typically produced in the conversion of ethanol to xylenes, such as m-xylene, ethyl benzene, benzene, toluene, and the like. And, in some embodiments, the method facilitates the ability to use ortho/para mixtures of methylbenzyaldehyde for preparing ortho/para xylene product mixtures that are amendable to fractionation to separate the para- and ortho-xylene products thereby providing a pure feedstock of para-xylene that can be used to form terephthalic anhydride and a pure feedstock of ortho-xylene that can be used for other purposes, such as phthalic anhydride.