A process for producing xylenes, in particular para-xylene that is less energy intensive than conventional processes is provided. In an embodiment the process comprises contacting a feed mixture in an isomerization zone with a catalyst at isomerization conditions and producing an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the feed mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane. Xylene isomerization can also be coupled with a p-xylene extraction process, where the raffinate (p-xylene deprived stream) from the extraction process is fed to an isomerization reactor to produce p-xylene. In an embodiment, the process can comprise: a) providing a feed stream comprising a mixture of xylene isomers including p-xylene; b) extracting p-xylene from the feed stream using a separator to separate the feed stream into a p-xylene rich stream and a p-xylene deprived stream; and c) delivering the p-xylene deprived stream to an isomerization unit, the isomerization unit including an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane, and using the isomerization unit to produce an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the p-xylene deprived stream delivered to the isomerization unit. In any one or more aspects, the isomerization unit can be operated at a temperature in the range of less than 350°, for example about 20° C. to about 200° C.

A compact air purification apparatus which can improve an acetaldehyde removal performance and of which the size can be reduced is provided. A compact air purification apparatus using a photocatalyst includes a housing, a photocatalyst member that is disposed in the housing and contains titanium oxides, a light emitting unit that is disposed in the housing to irradiate the photocatalyst member with ultraviolet light and includes a plurality of LED elements, and a fan that circulates air inside the housing.

A compact air purification apparatus which can improve an acetaldehyde removal performance and of which the size can be reduced is provided. A compact air purification apparatus using a photocatalyst includes a housing, a photocatalyst member that is disposed in the housing and contains titanium oxides, a light emitting unit that is disposed in the housing to irradiate the photocatalyst member with ultraviolet light and includes a plurality of LED elements, and a fan that circulates air inside the housing.

A catalytic nanoparticle can include a nanodiamond core, a thin-layer polymeric film applied to an outer surface of the nanodiamond core, and a catalyst immobilized at an outer surface of the thin-layer polymeric film. The nanoparticles can also be used in connection with a transducer to form a sensor. A method of catalysis can include contacting the catalytic nanoparticle with a reactant in a reaction area. The reactant can be capable of forming a reaction product via a reaction catalyzed by the catalyst. The method of catalysis can also include facilitating a catalytic interaction between the catalytic nanoparticle and the reactant.

A catalytic nanoparticle can include a nanodiamond core, a thin-layer polymeric film applied to an outer surface of the nanodiamond core, and a catalyst immobilized at an outer surface of the thin-layer polymeric film. The nanoparticles can also be used in connection with a transducer to form a sensor. A method of catalysis can include contacting the catalytic nanoparticle with a reactant in a reaction area. The reactant can be capable of forming a reaction product via a reaction catalyzed by the catalyst. The method of catalysis can also include facilitating a catalytic interaction between the catalytic nanoparticle and the reactant.

A dry formulation obtained by desiccation of an emulsion comprises at least one surfactant, at least one lipophilic compound, and at least one metal catalyst. The dry formulation may be used to carry out a catalysed reaction in an aqueous medium. The dry formulation has a water content of less than (10) wt% relative to the total weight of the dry formulation, and wherein: - the at least one surfactant is selected from the group comprising dendrimers of Dendri-TAC type, oligomers of F,TACn or H,TACn type, TPGS 1000, TPGS 750 M, surfactants derived from sugars and/or amino acids, and combinations thereof; - the at least one lipophilic compound is selected from the group comprising lipids, hydrophobic complexing agents and combinations thereof; and - the metal catalyst comprises a metal selected from Groups (3) to (12) of the Periodic Table.

A method for producing acetaminophen may include causing p-nitrophenol to undergo an acetamination reaction to produce the acetaminophen, by passing a solution containing the p-nitrophenol through a column packed with a catalyst while also passing an acetylating agent and hydrogen through the column. The catalyst may be a supported metal catalyst in which a metal element is supported on a synthetic adsorbent, and a reaction temperature of the acetamination reaction is 0° C. to 60° C., and a reaction pressure of the acetamination reaction is 0.1 MPa to 1 MPa. With the method, it is possible to continuously produce acetaminophen safely and inexpensively with high selectivity and good yield, at a low reaction temperature and a low reaction pressure.

A method for producing acetaminophen may include causing p-nitrophenol to undergo an acetamination reaction to produce the acetaminophen, by passing a solution containing the p-nitrophenol through a column packed with a catalyst while also passing an acetylating agent and hydrogen through the column. The catalyst may be a supported metal catalyst in which a metal element is supported on a synthetic adsorbent, and a reaction temperature of the acetamination reaction is 0° C. to 60° C., and a reaction pressure of the acetamination reaction is 0.1 MPa to 1 MPa. With the method, it is possible to continuously produce acetaminophen safely and inexpensively with high selectivity and good yield, at a low reaction temperature and a low reaction pressure.

Methods of identifying precursors for producing high porosity and high surface area organosilica materials are providing herein. Methods of producing organosilica materials and uses thereof are also provided herein.

Methods of identifying precursors for producing high porosity and high surface area organosilica materials are providing herein. Methods of producing organosilica materials and uses thereof are also provided herein.