Nanosheets of Ca.sup.2+ and Y.sup.3+, with CO.sub.3.sup.2 in the interlayer with a uniform diameter and lengths of several tens of microns have been successfully synthesized in a hydrotalcite layer structure (a layered double hydroxide), using a hydrothermal method. The formation mechanism of lamellar CaYCO.sub.3.sup.2 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) depends on the molar ratio of Ca and Y and the reaction time and temperature. The resulting LDH materials exhibit excellent affinity and selectivity for heavy transition metal and metalloid ions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a zeolite-like metal-organic framework composition comprising a metal-organic framework composition with ana topology characterized by the formula [M.sup.III(4, 5-imidazole dicarboxylic acid).sub.2X(solvent).sub.a].sub.n wherein M.sup.III comprises a trivalent cation of a rare earth element, X comprises an alkali metal element or alkaline earth metal element, and solvent comprises a guest molecule occupying pores. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of separating paraffins comprising contacting a zeolite-like metal-organic framework with ana topology with a flow of paraffins, and separating the paraffins by size.

Methods for removing a target selenium entity from fluids by treating the fluid with a rare earth impregnated media containing an immobilized rare earth. The methods including obtaining a contaminated fluid comprising water and dissolved selenate; contacting the feed fluid with a rare earth impregnated media for removal of at least a portion of the selenate from the feed fluid thereby forming a treated fluid comprising less selenium than the feed fluid.

The invention provides a composition of particulate materials. The composition comprises lanthanum chloride in particulate form. The composition also comprises up to about 4% by weight of amorphous silica in particulate form, based on the combined weight of the lanthanum chloride and the amorphous silica. The addition of amorphous silica to desiccated lanthanum chloride forms a fine coating or barrier on the outer surfaces of the individual lanthanum crystals, providing a composition that is significantly more stable and able to resist coalescence of particles than pure desiccated lanthanum chloride.

Processes, compositions, and sensors for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals based on colorimetric changes. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical includes contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide or a porous mixed-metal oxide/hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent is determined to thereby detect exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

A NO.sub.x adsorber catalyst and its use in an emission treatment system for internal combustion engines, is disclosed. The NO.sub.x adsorber catalyst comprises a first layer consisting essentially of a support material, one or more platinum group metals disposed on the support material, and a NO.sub.x storage material.

The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials, in particular a physiologically active compound contaminant, from various streams using a rare earth fixing agent.

The present application provides a method for preparing lanthanide fluoride two-dimensional porous nanosheets and belongs to the field of novel materials. In the present application, mixing a water-soluble lanthanide metal salt and an aqueous solution of sodium acetate in a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain a mixed solution, and adding an aqueous solution of fluorine-containing salt to the mixed solution obtained for precipitation reaction to produce lanthanide fluoride two-dimensional porous nanosheets. In the preparation process provided by the present application, no additional surfactant or template agent needs to be added, the pollution of the surfactant to the surface of the prepared material is avoided and the tedious after-treatment steps to template agent are reduced. Accordingly, the large-scale production can be realized, and the lanthanide fluoride two-dimensional porous nanosheets constructed by nanoparticles are prepared in large scale by one step. Moreover, no other organic solvents are required, and the pollution to the environment during the preparation process is avoided.

A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Systems and methods for separating hydrocarbons on an internal combustion powered vehicle via one or more metal organic frameworks are disclosed. Systems and methods can further include utilizing separated hydrocarbons and exhaust to generate hydrogen gas for use as fuel.