A method of purifying air polluted by smoke and fumes, such as from wildfires and other hazard, may deploy a series of fluid filled vessels that act as filters to trap and/or neutralize components that would foul an aqueous suspension of gold nanoparticles that is effective in converting toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Non-toxic fluids may be used. As the gold nanoparticles are effective in a basic solution, the solution may contain a visible pH indicator or an apparatus that deploys the method may continuously monitor the pH thereof.

Provided is a method for generating hydrogen at a desired rate, using a hydrogen storage material that can be stored and transported safely and inexpensively. The method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen includes subjecting a hydrosilane compound and water to a reaction with each other in the presence of a solid catalyst to give a silanol compound and hydrogen. The solid catalyst includes hydroxyapatite and gold particles supported on the hydroxyapatite, where the gold particles have an average particle size of 2.5 nm or less. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen is preferably performed in an air atmosphere. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen can be performed with application of substantially no heat and no activated energy rays.

Provided is a method for generating hydrogen at a desired rate, using a hydrogen storage material that can be stored and transported safely and inexpensively. The method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen includes subjecting a hydrosilane compound and water to a reaction with each other in the presence of a solid catalyst to give a silanol compound and hydrogen. The solid catalyst includes hydroxyapatite and gold particles supported on the hydroxyapatite, where the gold particles have an average particle size of 2.5 nm or less. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen is preferably performed in an air atmosphere. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen can be performed with application of substantially no heat and no activated energy rays.

A heterogeneous catalyst comprising a support and gold, wherein: (i) said support comprises titanium, (ii) said catalyst comprises from 0.1 to 5 wt % of gold, (iii) at least 90 wt % of the gold is in the outer 60% of catalyst volume, and (iv) particles of the catalyst have an average diameter from 200 microns to 30 mm; wherein weight percentages are based on weight of the catalyst.

A heterogeneous catalyst comprising a support and gold, wherein: (i) said support comprises titanium, (ii) said catalyst comprises from 0.1 to 5 wt % of gold, (iii) at least 90 wt % of the gold is in the outer 60% of catalyst volume, and (iv) particles of the catalyst have an average diameter from 200 microns to 30 mm; wherein weight percentages are based on weight of the catalyst.

The disclosure relates to a method for making a photocatalytic structure, the method comprising: providing a carbon nanotube structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes intersected with each other; a plurality of openings being defined by the plurality of carbon nanotubes; forming a photocatalytic active layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube structure; applying a metal layer pre-form on the surface of the photocatalytic active layer; and annealing the metal layer pre-form.

The disclosure relates to a method for making a photocatalytic structure, the method comprising: providing a carbon nanotube structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes intersected with each other; a plurality of openings being defined by the plurality of carbon nanotubes; forming a photocatalytic active layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube structure; applying a metal layer pre-form on the surface of the photocatalytic active layer; and annealing the metal layer pre-form.

Disclosed are catalysts comprised of platinum and gold. The catalysts are generally useful for the selective oxidation of compositions comprised of a primary alcohol group and at least one secondary alcohol group wherein at least the primary alcohol group is converted to a carboxyl group. More particularly, the catalysts are supported catalysts including particles comprising gold and particles comprising platinum, wherein the molar ratio of platinum to gold is in the range of about 100:1 to about 1:4, the platinum is essentially present as Pt(0) and the platinum-containing particles are of a size in the range of about 2 to about 50 nm. Also disclosed are methods for the oxidative chemocatalytic conversion of carbohydrates to carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof. Additionally, methods are disclosed for the selective oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid or derivatives thereof using catalysts comprising platinum and gold. Further, methods are disclosed for the production of such catalysts.

Disclosed are catalysts comprised of platinum and gold. The catalysts are generally useful for the selective oxidation of compositions comprised of a primary alcohol group and at least one secondary alcohol group wherein at least the primary alcohol group is converted to a carboxyl group. More particularly, the catalysts are supported catalysts including particles comprising gold and particles comprising platinum, wherein the molar ratio of platinum to gold is in the range of about 100:1 to about 1:4, the platinum is essentially present as Pt(0) and the platinum-containing particles are of a size in the range of about 2 to about 50 nm. Also disclosed are methods for the oxidative chemocatalytic conversion of carbohydrates to carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof. Additionally, methods are disclosed for the selective oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid or derivatives thereof using catalysts comprising platinum and gold. Further, methods are disclosed for the production of such catalysts.

An efficient green method for the synthesis of noble metal/transition metal oxide nanocomposite comprising reducing noble metal salt and a templating metal oxide is disclosed. The method is a one-step method comprises mixing coffee seed husk extract, a noble metal precursor, and a transition metal precursor; and filtering and drying the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite prepared by the method of the invention displays all the characteristics and biocidal activity of a composite prepared by traditional methods.