A nanocomposite photocatalyst is provided. The nanocomposite photocatalyst contains a carbon nanomaterial made of amorphous carbon and graphitic carbon, metal oxide nanoparticles disposed on the carbon nanomaterial, and noble metal nanoparticles disposed on the metal oxide nanoparticles and/or the carbon nanomaterial. Also provided is a method of forming the nanocomposite photocatalyst and a method of photodegrading an organic pollutant in water using the nanocomposite photocatalyst and visible light irradiation.

An oxidation catalyst for treating an exhaust gas from a diesel engine comprises: a first washcoat region for oxidising carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs), wherein the first washcoat region comprises a first platinum group metal (PGM) and a first support material, and wherein the first washcoat region does not comprise manganese or an oxide thereof; a second washcoat region for oxidising nitric oxide (NO), wherein the second washcoat region comprises platinum (Pt), manganese (Mn) and a second support material comprising a refractory metal oxide, which is silica-alumina or alumina doped with silica in a total amount of 0.5 to 45% by weight of the alumina, wherein the platinum (Pt) is disposed or supported on the second support material and the manganese (Mn) is disposed or supported on the second support material; and a substrate having an inlet end and an outlet end, and wherein the first washcoat region is a first washcoat layer and the second washcoat region is a second washcoat layer, and the second washcoat layer is disposed on the first washcoat layer; and wherein when the oxidation catalyst comprises a hydrocarbon adsorbent, which is a zeolite, then the first washcoat region further comprises the hydrocarbon adsorbent.

An oxidation catalyst for treating an exhaust gas from a diesel engine comprises: a first washcoat region for oxidising carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs), wherein the first washcoat region comprises a first platinum group metal (PGM) and a first support material, and wherein the first washcoat region does not comprise manganese or an oxide thereof; a second washcoat region for oxidising nitric oxide (NO), wherein the second washcoat region comprises platinum (Pt), manganese (Mn) and a second support material comprising a refractory metal oxide, which is silica-alumina or alumina doped with silica in a total amount of 0.5 to 45% by weight of the alumina, wherein the platinum (Pt) is disposed or supported on the second support material and the manganese (Mn) is disposed or supported on the second support material; and a substrate having an inlet end and an outlet end, and wherein the first washcoat region is a first washcoat layer and the second washcoat region is a second washcoat layer, and the second washcoat layer is disposed on the first washcoat layer; and wherein when the oxidation catalyst comprises a hydrocarbon adsorbent, which is a zeolite, then the first washcoat region further comprises the hydrocarbon adsorbent.

A catalyst comprising a noble metal disposed on a support. The noble metal is present in an amount ranging from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % relative to the total weight of the catalyst. The support comprises at least 50 wt % silicon carbide relative to the total weight of the support. The silicon carbide has a surface area of at least 5 m.sup.2/g. A method for preparing methyl methacrylate from methacrolein and methanol using the catalyst is also disclosed.

A process for preparing a catalyst for selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, comprises: mixing palladium, gallium, and gold sources, silica, and a solvent to form a suspension, which is then subjected to filtration and drying so as to obtain a catalyst precursor; subjecting the catalyst precursor obtained to a calcination treatment; and subjecting a calcinated product obtained to a reduction reaction in a reducing atmosphere so as to obtain the catalyst. The catalyst prepared according to this process exhibits a high stability and high catalytic performance, and has a large number of active sites uniformly distributed.

A process for preparing a catalyst for selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, comprises: mixing palladium, gallium, and gold sources, silica, and a solvent to form a suspension, which is then subjected to filtration and drying so as to obtain a catalyst precursor; subjecting the catalyst precursor obtained to a calcination treatment; and subjecting a calcinated product obtained to a reduction reaction in a reducing atmosphere so as to obtain the catalyst. The catalyst prepared according to this process exhibits a high stability and high catalytic performance, and has a large number of active sites uniformly distributed.

A catalyst support comprising at least 95% silicon carbide, having surface areas of ≤10 m.sup.2/g and pore volumes of ≤1 cc/g. A method of producing a catalyst support, the method including mixing SiC particles of 0.1-20 microns, SiO.sub.2 and carbonaceous materials to form an extrusion, under inert atmospheres, heating the extrusion at temperatures of greater than 1400° C., and removing residual carbon from the heated support under temperatures below 1000° C. A catalyst on a carrier, comprising a carrier support having at least about 95% SiC, with a silver solution impregnated thereon comprising silver oxide, ethylenediamine, oxalic acid, monoethanolamine and cesium hydroxide. A process for oxidation reactions (e.g., for the production of ethylene oxide, or oxidation reactions using propane or methane), or for endothermic reactions (e.g., dehydrogenation of paraffins, of ethyl benzene, or cracking and hydrocracking hydrocarbons).

Provided is a composite body that includes halloysite powder including a granule in which halloysite including a halloysite nanotube is aggregated, and a transition metal catalyst carried in the halloysite powder. The granule preferably includes a first pore derived from a tube hole of the halloysite nanotube, and a second pore different from the first pore. The transition metal catalyst preferably includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, ruthenium, cobalt, nickel and silver.

An ethylene oxide (EO) reactor is provided in which a removable impingement basket is configured to be inserted into the reactor inlet pipe of the EO reactor. The removable impingement basket provides protection for the silver-based catalyst filled tubes and other components that are present inside the EO reactor as well as providing another access point into the EO reactor. The removable impingement basket also can provide better distribution of the inlet gas as compared to an EO reactor containing a non-removable impingement plate.

A catalyst support comprising at least 95% silicon carbide, having surface areas of ≤10 m.sup.2/g and pore volumes of ≤1 cc/g. A method of producing a catalyst support, the method including mixing SiC particles of 0.1-20 microns, SiO.sub.2 and carbonaceous materials to form an extrusion, under inert atmospheres, heating the extrusion at temperatures of greater than 1400° C., and removing residual carbon from the heated support under temperatures below 1000° C. A catalyst on a carrier, comprising a carrier support having at least about 95% SiC, with a silver solution impregnated thereon comprising silver oxide, ethylenediamine, oxalic acid, monoethanolamine and cesium hydroxide. A process for oxidation reactions (e.g., for the production of ethylene oxide, or oxidation reactions using propane or methane), or for endothermic reactions (e.g., dehydrogenation of paraffins, of ethyl benzene, or cracking and hydrocracking hydrocarbons).