Methods, catalysts, and systems for the production of 1,3-butadiene from a reaction mixture including ethylene and gaseous sulfur are described.

A process of growth in the thickness of at least one facet of a colloidal inorganic sheet. By sheet is meant a structure having at least one dimension, the thickness, of nanometric size and lateral dimensions great compared to the thickness, typically more than 5 times the thickness. By homostructured is meant a material of homogeneous composition in the thickness and by heterostructured is meant a material of heterogeneous composition in the thickness. The process allows the deposition of at least one monolayer of atoms on at least one inorganic colloidal sheet, this monolayer being constituted of atoms of the type of those contained or not in the sheet. Homostructured and heterostructured materials resulting from such process as well as the applications of the materials are also described.

A process of growth in the thickness of at least one facet of a colloidal inorganic sheet. By sheet is meant a structure having at least one dimension, the thickness, of nanometric size and lateral dimensions great compared to the thickness, typically more than 5 times the thickness. By homostructured is meant a material of homogeneous composition in the thickness and by heterostructured is meant a material of heterogeneous composition in the thickness. The process allows the deposition of at least one monolayer of atoms on at least one inorganic colloidal sheet, this monolayer being constituted of atoms of the type of those contained or not in the sheet. Homostructured and heterostructured materials resulting from such process as well as the applications of the materials are also described.

A functional structural body that can realize a prolonged life time by suppressing the decrease in function and that can fulfill resource saving without requiring a complicated replacement operation is provided. A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and at least one solid acid present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body has channels connecting with each other, and the solid acid is present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

To provide a functional structural body that can realize ong life time by suppressing the decline in function of the functional substance and that can attempt to save resources without requiring a complicated replacement operation, and to provide a method for making the functional structural body. The functional structural body (1) includes a skeletal body (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one functional substance (20) present in the skeletal body (10), the skeletal body (10) has channels (11) connecting with each other, and the functional substance is present at least the channels (11) of the skeletal body (10).

Methods of synthesizing Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles in the form of spheres as well as properties of these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles are described. Methods of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants employing these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles and methods of preventing or reducing microbial growth on a surface by applying these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles in the form of a solution or an antimicrobial product onto the surface are also specified.

Methods of synthesizing Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles in the form of spheres as well as properties of these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles are described. Methods of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants employing these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles and methods of preventing or reducing microbial growth on a surface by applying these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3CdS particles in the form of a solution or an antimicrobial product onto the surface are also specified.

A bulk three-dimensional (3-D) catalyst and methods of making and use are described herein. The bulk three-dimensional (3-D) catalyst is formed from a catalytically active metal or metal alloy and has a sulfurized or oxidized outer surface.

A process for preparing a mesoporous material, e.g., transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, Lanthanide metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, a post-transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride and metalloid oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride. The process comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous material. A mesoporous material prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous materials. The method comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous material. Mesoporous materials and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous materials.

A process for preparing a mesoporous material, e.g., transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, Lanthanide metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, a post-transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride and metalloid oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride. The process comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous material. A mesoporous material prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous materials. The method comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous material. Mesoporous materials and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous materials.