Nanocages are formed by etching nanocubes. The nanocubes are added to an aqueous system having an amphiphilic lipid dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g. a hydrophobic alcohol) to form reverse micelles. As the water evaporates the micelles shrink as etching of the flat surface of the nanocubes occurs. In this fashion hollow nanocages are produced. In one embodiment, the nanocage is covalently attached to a polymer shell (e.g. a dextran shell).

Systems for mixing a catalyst precursor with a heavy oil feedstock preparatory to hydroprocessing the heavy oil feedstock in a reactor to form an upgraded feedstock. Achieving very good dispersion of the catalyst precursor facilitates and maximizes the advantages of the colloidal or molecular hydroprocessing catalyst. A catalyst precursor and a heavy oil feedstock having a viscosity greater than the viscosity of the catalyst precursor are provided. The catalyst precursor is pre-mixed with a hydrocarbon oil diluent, forming a diluted catalyst precursor. The diluted precursor is then mixed with at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock so as to form a catalyst precursor-heavy oil feedstock mixture. Finally, the catalyst precursor-heavy oil feedstock mixture is mixed with any remainder of the heavy oil feedstock, resulting in the catalyst precursor being homogeneously dispersed on a colloidal and/or molecular level within the heavy oil feedstock.

Novel non-planar non-contiguous graphene structures and novel methods for forming the same. According to some embodiments the novel methods result in three-dimensional graphene structures. According to a further embodiment these three-dimensional graphene structures have a specific, controlled morphology. According to a still further method the novel method results in decoratable graphene sheets or three-dimensional graphene structures.

A catalyst and a catalyst composition, a method for preparing thereof, and a method for synthesizing of hydrogen peroxide using them are provided. The catalyst and the catalyst composition contains: an alloy of two elements, wherein the elements are Pt (Platinum) and Ni (Nickel). The present disclosure enables (a) replacing a high-priced palladium (Pd) catalyst with a new catalyst, (b) providing a high-active catalyst which catalyzes the direct synthesis reaction of the hydrogen peroxide.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to solid catalysts that convert lignocellulosic material to monomer sugars that are suitable for fermentation. The solid catalysts include a transition metal complex attached to a magnetic bead, and can be physically separated from a fermentation mixture and reused several times.

The invention discloses a visible light responsive tricobalt tetraoxide dodecahedron/carbon nitride nanosheet composite and an application thereof in exhaust gas treatment. The preparation method of the composite comprises the following steps: with urea as a precursor, carrying out twice calcination to obtain carbon nitride nanosheet; dispersing the carbon nitride nanosheet into methanol, sequentially adding cobalt nitrate hexahydrate and 2-methylimidazole, and carrying out a reaction to obtain a carbon nitride nanosheet composite; and calcining the carbon nitride nanosheet composite in an air atmosphere at a low temperature to obtain the tricobalt tetraoxide dodecahedron/carbon nitride nanosheet composite. The in-situ growth synthesis method can ensure that the tricobalt tetraoxide obtained by follow-up calcination is uniformly coated on the carbon nitride nanosheet to improve the catalytic performance; the low temperature calcination ensures that the carbon nitride can maintain its wrinkle state and chemical structure during the calcination process.

The present invention relates to a catalyst for producing olefins from dehydrogenation of alkane having 2 to 5 carbon atoms and a method for producing olefins using said catalyst, wherein said catalyst comprises a hierarchical zeolite nanosheet having a silica to alumina(SiO.sub.2/AI.sub.2O.sub.3) ratio more than 120 and group X metal(s) in a range of 0.3 to 5% by weight. The catalyst according to the conversion of precursor to yields and high olefins selectivity.

Process for the preparation of a catalyst and a catalyst comprising enhanced mesoporosity is provided herein. Thus, in one embodiment, provided is a particulate FCC catalyst comprising 2 to 50 wt % of one or more ultra stabilized high Si02/A1203 ratio large pore faujasite zeolite or a rare earth containing USY, 0 to 50 wt % of one or more rare-earth exchanged large pore faujasite zeolite, 0 to 30 wt % of small to medium pore size zeolites, 5 to 45 wt % quasi-crystalline boehmite 0 to 35 wt % microcrystalline boehmite, 0 to 25 wt % of a first silica, 2 to 30 wt % of a second silica, 0.1 to 10 wt % one or more rare earth components showiomg enhanced mesoporosity in the range of 6-40 nm, the numbering of the silica corresponding to their orders of introduction in the preparation process.

Described herein are methods of making the visible light photocatalysts without the use of templates that can comprise: (1) mixing a metal precursor, an alcohol, and a solvent to form a self assembled shapes at a temperature between the freezing point of the solvent and the boiling point of the solvent, (2) strengthening the shapes at a temperature of about 35 C. to about 300 C. for about 30 minutes to about 96 hours, and then (3) annealing the shapes at a temperature of between about 450 C. to about 750 C. for between about 4 hours to about 16 hours in a gaseous atmosphere. Also described are photocatalysts created by the described methods.

A process utilizing a micro-emulsion is described. The micro-emulsion formed by contacting an ionic liquid, a co-solvent, a hydrocarbon, an optional surfactant, and an optional catalyst promoter to form the micro-emulsion. The micro-emulsion comprises a hydrocarbon component comprising the hydrocarbon and an ionic liquid component comprising the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid comprises a halometallate anion and a cation. The co-solvent has a polarity greater than a polarity of the hydrocarbon. The ionic liquid is present in an amount of 0.05 wt % to 40 wt % of the micro-emulsion. A product mixture comprising a product is produced in a process zone containing the micro-emulsion.