A catalyst includes a support, where the support includes an external surface, about 60 wt % to about 99 wt % silica, and about 1.0 wt % to about 5.0 wt % alumina. A catalytic layer is disposed within the support adjacent to the external surface, where the catalytic layer further includes Pd, Au, and potassium acetate (KOAc). In the catalyst, (a) the KOAc is from about 60 kg/m.sup.3 to about 150 kg/m.sup.3 of the catalyst; or (b) the catalytic layer has an average thickness from about 50 m to about 150 m; or (c) both (a) and (b). The catalyst also possesses a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of about 130 m.sup.2/g to about 300 m.sup.2/g and a geometric surface area per packed bed volume from about 550 m.sup.2/m.sup.3 to about 1500 m.sup.2/m.sup.3. The catalyst is highly active for the synthesis of vinyl acetate monomer and exhibits a high selectivity for vinyl acetate monomer.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to Z-scheme photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen generation from water. The Z-scheme photocatalyst can include a hybrid metal that includes a semiconductor material/M1/Cd.sub.xM.sub.1xS material. M1 can be transition metal and M can Zn, Fe, Cu, Sn, Mo, Ag, Pb and Ni.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to Z-scheme photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen generation from water. The Z-scheme photocatalyst can include a hybrid metal that includes a semiconductor material/M1/Cd.sub.xM.sub.1xS material. M1 can be transition metal and M can Zn, Fe, Cu, Sn, Mo, Ag, Pb and Ni.

The present invention provides a porous metal-containing carbon-based material that is stable at high temperatures under aqueous conditions. The porous metal-containing carbon-based materials are particularly useful in catalytic applications. Also provided, are methods for making and using porous shaped metal-carbon products prepared from these materials.

The present invention provides a porous metal-containing carbon-based material that is stable at high temperatures under aqueous conditions. The porous metal-containing carbon-based materials are particularly useful in catalytic applications. Also provided, are methods for making and using porous shaped metal-carbon products prepared from these materials.

The invention discloses a binder-free high strength and low steam-to-oil ratio ethylbenzene dehydrogenation catalyst, which is characterized by comprising the following components in percentage by weight: (a) 60-85% Fe.sub.2O.sub.3; (b) 3-25% K.sub.2O; (c) 0.1-5% MoO.sub.3; (d) 3-20% CeO.sub.2; (e) 0.1-5% CaO; (f) 0.1-5% Na.sub.2O; (g) 0.1-5% MnO.sub.2, wherein the weight ratio of sodium oxide to manganese dioxide is 0.1-10, and no binder is added during the preparation of the catalyst. The low steam-to-oil ratio ethylbenzene dehydrogenation catalyst provided by the present invention contains no binder and maintains high strength, and has high activity and stability at low steam-to-oil ratio.

The invention discloses a binder-free high strength and low steam-to-oil ratio ethylbenzene dehydrogenation catalyst, which is characterized by comprising the following components in percentage by weight: (a) 60-85% Fe.sub.2O.sub.3; (b) 3-25% K.sub.2O; (c) 0.1-5% MoO.sub.3; (d) 3-20% CeO.sub.2; (e) 0.1-5% CaO; (f) 0.1-5% Na.sub.2O; (g) 0.1-5% MnO.sub.2, wherein the weight ratio of sodium oxide to manganese dioxide is 0.1-10, and no binder is added during the preparation of the catalyst. The low steam-to-oil ratio ethylbenzene dehydrogenation catalyst provided by the present invention contains no binder and maintains high strength, and has high activity and stability at low steam-to-oil ratio.

Disclosed is a supported catalyst for the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), a process for preparing a catalyst comprising an extruded alumina support, and a catalytic process for the manufacturing vinyl acetate using the supported catalyst. Specifically, it is shown that for activated palladium-gold VAM catalysts prepared using extruded alumina supports, enhanced performance is demonstrated with increased pore volume of the support, and the gas hourly space velocity (GHSV, hr.sup.1), which was found to significantly increase the space time yield as GHSV increased as compared to the non-extruded alumina supported catalysts.

Disclosed is a supported catalyst for the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), a process for preparing a catalyst comprising an extruded alumina support, and a catalytic process for the manufacturing vinyl acetate using the supported catalyst. Specifically, it is shown that for activated palladium-gold VAM catalysts prepared using extruded alumina supports, enhanced performance is demonstrated with increased pore volume of the support, and the gas hourly space velocity (GHSV, hr.sup.1), which was found to significantly increase the space time yield as GHSV increased as compared to the non-extruded alumina supported catalysts.

Disclosed are methods of forming an N,N-substituted-formamide comprising contacting a feed gas comprising an alcohol and an N,N-substituted-amine with a solid heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a reaction temperature, wherein the solid heterogeneous catalyst comprises one or more noble metals; and oxidatively coupling the feed gas under conditions effective to form an effluent gas comprising the N,N-substituted-formamide. Also disclosed herein are methods of forming a carbamide and/or a carbamate comprising contacting a feed gas comprising an alcohol and an N,N-substituted-amine with a solid heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a temperature greater than or equal to 155? C., wherein the solid heterogeneous catalyst comprises one or more noble metals; and oxidatively coupling the feed gas under conditions effective to form a product gas comprising the carbamide and/or carbamate.