A catalyst system, which is active in pyrolyzing methane at reaction temperatures above 700° C., comprising a molten salt selected from the group consisting of the halides of alkali metals; the halides of alkaline earth metals; the halides of zinc, copper, manganese, cadmium, tin and iron; and mixtures thereof, the molten salt having dispersed therein one or more catalytically active forms of iron, molybdenum, manganese, nickel, cobalt, zinc, titanium, and copper in the form of finely divided elemental metals, metal oxides, metal carbides or mixtures thereof.

A method for preparing a metal-free few-layer phosphorous nanomaterial. The method comprises an ice-assisted exfoliation process (or solvent ice-assisted exfoliation process). The method allows for the preparation of a few-layer phosphorous nanomaterial with improved yield and reduced duration and exfoliation power. The few-layer phosphorous nanomaterial is used in the preparation of a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst exhibits a long-term stability, high photocatalytic H.sub.2 evolution efficiency from water, and good stability under visible light irradiation.

The invention provides a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor. The process includes calcining a loaded catalyst support comprising a silica (SiO.sub.2) catalyst support supporting cobalt nitrate to convert the cobalt nitrate into cobalt oxide. The calcination includes heating the loaded catalyst support at a high heating rate, which does not fall below 10° C./minute, during at least a temperature range A. The temperature range A is from the lowest temperature at which calcination of the loaded catalyst support begins to 165° C. Gas flow is effected over the loaded catalyst support during at least the temperature range A. The catalyst precursor is reduced to obtain a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Present subject matter provides a semiconductor nanocrystal comprises a core and a shell. The core is fabricated from a first semiconductor. The shell is fabricated from a second semiconductor. The optical cross section of the semiconductor nanocrystal is in a range of 10.sup.−17 cm.sup.2-10.sup.−12 cm.sup.2 in a 2-3 eV region. The core is less than 2 nanometers from an outer surface of the shell in at least one region of the semiconductor nanocrystal. Present subject matter also provides method for preparation of the semiconductor nanocrystals and method for photosynthesis of organic compounds.

The present invention provides a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprising molybdenum carbide (Mo.sub.2C) supported on a bio-residue support. The catalyst has a concentration of strong acidic sites of more than 0.25 mmol/g of the catalyst, as measured by ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH.sub.3-TPD) analysis, and a BET surface area of 100 m.sup.2/g to 200 m.sup.2/g. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a bio-residue supported molybdenum carbide (Mo.sub.2C) catalyst, and a process for hydrodeoxygenation of an oxygen rich feedstock using the catalyst of the invention.

The present invention provides a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprising molybdenum carbide (Mo.sub.2C) supported on a bio-residue support. The catalyst has a concentration of strong acidic sites of more than 0.25 mmol/g of the catalyst, as measured by ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH.sub.3-TPD) analysis, and a BET surface area of 100 m.sup.2/g to 200 m.sup.2/g. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a bio-residue supported molybdenum carbide (Mo.sub.2C) catalyst, and a process for hydrodeoxygenation of an oxygen rich feedstock using the catalyst of the invention.

The present disclosure provides a process for producing trifluoroiodomethane, the process comprising providing a reactant stream comprising hydrogen iodide and at least one trifluoroacetyl halide selected from the group consisting of trifluoroacetyl chloride, trifluoroacetyl fluoride, trifluoroacetyl bromide, and combinations thereof, reacting the reactant stream in the presence of a first catalyst at a first reaction temperature from about 25° C. to about 400° C. to produce an intermediate product stream comprising trifluoroacetyl iodide, and reacting the intermediate product stream in the presence of a second catalyst at a second reaction temperature from about 200° C. to about 600° C. to produce a final product stream comprising the trifluoroiodomethane.

A single-atom catalyst for use in a water splitting process includes at least one support material and at least one metal catalyst deposited on the surface of the at least one support material. The at least one support material is made of tungsten carbide obtained from a tungstate-metal-aryl compound precursor, and the at least one metal catalyst is selected from a group including Fe, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, V, Ru, Ir, Ca, Pd, Pt or combinations thereof.

A single-atom catalyst for use in a water splitting process includes at least one support material and at least one metal catalyst deposited on the surface of the at least one support material. The at least one support material is made of tungsten carbide obtained from a tungstate-metal-aryl compound precursor, and the at least one metal catalyst is selected from a group including Fe, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, V, Ru, Ir, Ca, Pd, Pt or combinations thereof.

Transition metal MXene catalysts and methods for using with electrochemical cells for reduction of carbon dioxide and production of hydrocarbons. The transition metal catalysts include nanostructured transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The method includes electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide in an electrochemical cell, by contacting the carbon dioxide with at least one transition metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride catalyst in the electrochemical cell and applying a potential to the electrochemical cell. Also an apparatus and method for energy production and carbon sequestration. A photovoltaic cell is paired with an electrochemical cell, wherein a cathode side of the electrochemical cell reduces carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon, and an anode side of the electrochemical cell oxidizes water to oxygen. The hydrocarbon outlet can be connected to a heating element of an air handling unit, and the oxygen can likewise be introduced to the unit for air improvement. The cathode includes transition metal catalysts for reducing the carbon dioxide.