The present invention provides titania particles which are formed by providing a titania sol and spray drying the titania sol. A morphology of the dried titania particles is controlled by producing the titania sol from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry and controlling the pH of the slurry to be 3 pH units or more from the iso-electric point of the titania by adding a peptizing agent to reduce an extent to which the titania sol is flocculated, or by producing the titania sol from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry and adjusting the iso-electric point to be 3 pH units or more from the pH of the slurry by adding a dispersant to reduce an extent to which the titania sol is flocculated. The titania particles have a continuous exterior convex surface, a diameter of 30 m or less, a BET specific surface area of 50 m.sup.2/g or more, and are porous.

The invention provides a process for the production of titania particles with a desired morphology. The process comprises providing a titania sol and then drying the sol to provide dried titania particles. The process is characterized in that the morphology of the dried titania particles is controlled by applying one or more of the following criteria: (a) the titania sol is produced from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry obtained using a precipitation step in a sulphate process, wherein the size of micelles formed during the precipitation is controlled; (b) the titania sol is produced from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry and the pH of the slurry is controlled in order to affect the extent to which the titania sol is flocculated; (c) the titania sol is produced from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry and the iso-electric point of the titania is adjusted in order to affect the extent to which the titania sol is flocculated; (d) the titania sol is dried by application of heat and the temperature used during the drying step is controlled.

The invention provides a process for the production of titania particles with a desired morphology. The process comprises providing a titania sol and then drying the sol to provide dried titania particles. The process is characterized in that the morphology of the dried titania particles is controlled by applying one or more of the following criteria: (a) the titania sol is produced from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry obtained using a precipitation step in a sulphate process, wherein the size of micelles formed during the precipitation is controlled; (b) the titania sol is produced from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry and the pH of the slurry is controlled in order to affect the extent to which the titania sol is flocculated; (c) the titania sol is produced from a TiO.sub.2 containing slurry and the iso-electric point of the titania is adjusted in order to affect the extent to which the titania sol is flocculated; (d) the titania sol is dried by application of heat and the temperature used during the drying step is controlled.

A system for breaking down a PFA (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl) compound includes a reactor vessel, a heater, and a catalyst. The reactor vessel is operable to hold influent that includes a PFA compound, an alkali, and water, while alkaline hydrolysis separates a fluorine atom from the PFA compound in the influent. The heater is operable to heat the influent to a temperature within the range of 100? Celsius to 700? Celsius. And the catalyst is operable to increase the rate at which alkaline hydrolysis separates a fluorine atom from a PFA compound. The catalyst includes a body that includes a transition metal, which is a d-block metal or a metal from any of the periodic table's groups 4-11. The body also has a shape configured to multiply a surface-area-to-volume ratio by at least 1.5 when the body is disposed in an influent experiencing alkaline hydrolysis.

Catalysts useful in transforming biomass to bio-oil are disclosed, as are methods for making such catalysts, and methods of transforming biomass to bio-oil. The catalysts are especially useful for, but are not limited to, microwave- and induction-heating based pyrolysis of biomass, solid waste, and other carbon containing materials into bio-oil. The catalysts can also be used for upgrading the bio-oil to enhance fuel quality.

Catalysts useful in transforming biomass to bio-oil are disclosed, as are methods for making such catalysts, and methods of transforming biomass to bio-oil. The catalysts are especially useful for, but are not limited to, microwave- and induction-heating based pyrolysis of biomass, solid waste, and other carbon containing materials into bio-oil. The catalysts can also be used for upgrading the bio-oil to enhance fuel quality.

A porous member includes a base member and carbon nanostructures. The base member includes a porous body having a porosity of more than or equal to 80%. The carbon nanostructures are formed on a surface of the base member, and have a width of less than or equal to 100 nm. A catalyst member includes a catalyst arranged on surfaces of the carbon nano structures.

A photocatalytic element including: a photocatalytic layer containing at least one photocatalytic material; and a light emitting source in optical communication with the photocatalytic material, the light emitting source disposed sufficiently proximal to the photocatalytic material to raise the surface temperature of at least some of the photocatalytic material to a temperature between 10 C. and 90 C. is provided.

The present disclosure relates generally to ceramic materials suitable for use as catalyst support materials, catalysts using such materials and methods for using them, such as methods for converting sugars, sugar alcohols, glycerol, and bio-renewable organic acids to commercially-valuable chemicals and intermediates. One aspect of the invention is a ceramic material including zirconium oxide and one or more metal oxides selected from nickel oxide, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, iron oxide and zinc oxide, the ceramic material being at least about 50 wt. % zirconium oxide. In certain embodiments, the ceramic material is substantially free of any binder, extrusion aid or additional stabilizing agent.

Disclosed is a water-splitting photocatalyst, and methods for its use, that includes a photoactive semi-conductive layer, an up-converting material capable of converting infrared (IR) light to visible light and/or ultraviolet (UV) light, and a metal or metal alloy material having surface plasmon resonance properties in response to IR light and/or visible light, wherein the photoactive semi-conductive layer encompasses at least a portion of the up-converting material and the metal or metal alloy material.