An oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent is provided. A method of producing olefins from hydrocarbons with a concomitant production of water (oxidative dehydrogenation), using the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent is also provided. The sulfur oxygen transfer reagent can be used as an oxygen transfer reagent, and therefore acts as a non-metal carrier, for oxygen in a redox looping reactor for an oxidative dehydrogenation process such as the conversion of ethane to ethylene. The reduced forms of oxides of sulfur, formed in in this oxidative dehydrogenation process, can be re-oxidized with air and generate useful process heat. Also provided are methods of using the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent, and an apparatus for effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed. Methods of producing the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent are also provided.

A two or particularly three-phase process, and corresponding apparatus, desulfurizes sour hydrocarbon gas, e.g., natural gas, generally better than known, using a fixed-bed, two-phase processes in terms of the amount of H.sub.2S scavenged and the breakthrough time of H.sub.2S. The three-phase process is effective in scavenging H.sub.2S at ambient temperature and pressure, using a copper salt catalyst impregnated on alumina or other generally inert support, which is regenerable.

A two or particularly three-phase process, and corresponding apparatus, desulfurizes sour hydrocarbon gas, e.g., natural gas, generally better than known, using a fixed-bed, two-phase processes in terms of the amount of H.sub.2S scavenged and the breakthrough time of H.sub.2S. The three-phase process is effective in scavenging H.sub.2S at ambient temperature and pressure, using a copper salt catalyst impregnated on alumina or other generally inert support, which is regenerable.

The invention relates to a silicon-based anode material for a lithium-ion battery, a preparation method therefor, and a battery. The silicon-based negative electrode material is prepared by the compounding of 90 wt %-99.9 wt % of a silicon-based material and 0.1 wt %-10 wt % of carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers which grow on the surface of the silicon-based material in situ.

The invention relates to a silicon-based anode material for a lithium-ion battery, a preparation method therefor, and a battery. The silicon-based negative electrode material is prepared by the compounding of 90 wt %-99.9 wt % of a silicon-based material and 0.1 wt %-10 wt % of carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers which grow on the surface of the silicon-based material in situ.

An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface and a transparent photocatalyst coating secured on the surface of the substrate, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The substrate is preferably selected from an appliance handle, doorknob, switch, keyboard, countertop, appliance handle, equipment button, touchscreen, handrail, light emitting device, and light cover. Such substrates are frequently touched by one or more users and may become contaminated. However, the transparent photocatalyst coating may be self-decontaminating.

An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface and a transparent photocatalyst coating secured on the surface of the substrate, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The substrate is preferably selected from an appliance handle, doorknob, switch, keyboard, countertop, appliance handle, equipment button, touchscreen, handrail, light emitting device, and light cover. Such substrates are frequently touched by one or more users and may become contaminated. However, the transparent photocatalyst coating may be self-decontaminating.

A catalyst for catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid is composed of a carbon nitride doped with a potassium salt. A method for preparing the catalyst includes mixing the potassium salt, a precursor of the carbon nitride and a solvent to obtain a mixture, and drying and calcining the mixture to obtain the catalyst. A use of the catalyst in catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid, wherein the maleic acid is prepared by the step of oxidizing furfural in a solvent in the presence of the catalyst. The invention has the advantages that by using the method provided by the invention to prepare maleic acid, the conversion rate of furfural can be 99% or more and the yield of maleic acid can be up to 70.40%.

A catalyst for catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid is composed of a carbon nitride doped with a potassium salt. A method for preparing the catalyst includes mixing the potassium salt, a precursor of the carbon nitride and a solvent to obtain a mixture, and drying and calcining the mixture to obtain the catalyst. A use of the catalyst in catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid, wherein the maleic acid is prepared by the step of oxidizing furfural in a solvent in the presence of the catalyst. The invention has the advantages that by using the method provided by the invention to prepare maleic acid, the conversion rate of furfural can be 99% or more and the yield of maleic acid can be up to 70.40%.

An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface, and a transparent semiconductor photocatalyst layer secured to the surface of the substrate, wherein the photocatalyst layer includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The photocatalyst coating may be formed on a substrate using a formulation that includes an aqueous mixture of titanium oxide and amorphous titanium peroxide, wherein the aqueous mixture may further include one of the components. A method of forming the photocatalyst coating may include applying an aqueous mixture of titanium oxide and amorphous titanium peroxide to a surface of the substrate, wherein the photocatalyst coating includes a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, and/or silver nitrate. The aqueous mixture may then be dried and heated to 100 degrees Celsius or greater.