A catalytically active substance includes a copper (I) sulfide mineral particle, and an alkyne functionalized molecule bound to a surface of the copper (I) sulfide mineral particle. In an example method, a copper (I) sulfide mineral is reacted with an alkyne functionalized molecule to form a catalytically active substance. The catalytically active substance is reacted with an azide functionalized molecule to couple the catalytically active substance with the azide functionalized molecule.

The present invention is directed, at least in part, to a process for improving the efficiency of a photocatalyst (a semiconductor photocatalyst) by tethering (depositing) a metal (e.g., metal ions of a late transition metal, such as nickel) to the semiconductor (photocatalyst) surface through the use of an organic ligand. More specifically, 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) functions as an excellent molecular linker (organic ligand) to attach a transition metal complex (e.g., nickel (Ni.sup.2+ ions)) to the semiconductor surface, which can be in the form of a cadmium sulfide surface. The photocatalyst has particular utility in generating hydrogen from H.sub.2S.

The present invention is directed, at least in part, to a process for improving the efficiency of a photocatalyst (a semiconductor photocatalyst) by tethering (depositing) a metal (e.g., metal ions of a late transition metal, such as nickel) to the semiconductor (photocatalyst) surface through the use of an organic ligand. More specifically, 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) functions as an excellent molecular linker (organic ligand) to attach a transition metal complex (e.g., nickel (Ni.sup.2+ ions)) to the semiconductor surface, which can be in the form of a cadmium sulfide surface. The photocatalyst has particular utility in generating hydrogen from H.sub.2S.

Methods for the conversion of lignites, subbituminous coals and other carbonaceous feedstocks into synthetic oils, including oils with properties similar to light weight sweet crude oil using a solvent derived from hydrogenating oil produced by pyrolyzing lignite are set forth herein. Such methods may be conducted, for example, under mild operating conditions with a low cost stoichiometric co-reagent and/or a disposable conversion agent.

Methods for the conversion of lignites, subbituminous coals and other carbonaceous feedstocks into synthetic oils, including oils with properties similar to light weight sweet crude oil using a solvent derived from hydrogenating oil produced by pyrolyzing lignite are set forth herein. Such methods may be conducted, for example, under mild operating conditions with a low cost stoichiometric co-reagent and/or a disposable conversion agent.

System and methods for producing hydrogen, the system comprising: a reformer unit configured to generate a reformate gas via a steam-methane reaction that is aided by an iron sulfide catalyst; and, a shift reactor operably coupled to the reformer unit, wherein the shift reactor is configured to utilize the reformate gas to perform a water-shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen, and wherein an activation energy of the water-shift reaction is lowered by a presence of the iron sulfide catalyst in the reformate gas. Further systems use a water treatment system coupled to a steam generator, a reformer unit configured to generate a reformate gas via a steam-methane reaction, and a shift reactor.

System and methods for producing hydrogen, the system comprising: a reformer unit configured to generate a reformate gas via a steam-methane reaction that is aided by an iron sulfide catalyst; and, a shift reactor operably coupled to the reformer unit, wherein the shift reactor is configured to utilize the reformate gas to perform a water-shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen, and wherein an activation energy of the water-shift reaction is lowered by a presence of the iron sulfide catalyst in the reformate gas. Further systems use a water treatment system coupled to a steam generator, a reformer unit configured to generate a reformate gas via a steam-methane reaction, and a shift reactor.

A positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery including a carbon material impregnated with catalyst particles, and a sulfur-carbon composite, a preparation method thereof, and a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, and the lithium secondary battery including the same.

A carbon dioxide reduction device of the present invention is a carbon dioxide reduction device comprising a first electrode; at least any one of an electrolyte solution and an ion conducting membrane; and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is a porous electrode having a porous carbon, and the porous carbon has at least one type of metal-nonmetal element bond represented by M-R, in which M represents a metal element of Groups 4 to 15, and R represents a nonmetal element of Groups 14 to 16.

The present invention provides a porous carbon catalyst loaded with metal sulfides based on high-sulfur petroleum coke and preparation method therefor and application thereof. The method includes the steps of preparing an in-situ activated precursor from a pre-treated high-sulfur petroleum coke, destabilizing bulk sulfur, conducting an in-situ metal-sulfur bonding reaction, and washing and drying, which achieve the high-value in-situ conversion of sulfur in high-sulfur petroleum coke, resulting in the preparation of a porous carbon catalyst loaded with metal sulfides based on high-sulfur petroleum coke. This catalyst is applied to catalyze magnesium-based hydrogen storage materials. It not only avoids the discharge of sulfur-containing gas or sulfur-containing wastewater in the conventional utilization route of high-sulfur petroleum coke, but also expands the green multi-scenario utilization route of high-sulfur petroleum coke to promote the synergy of pollution reduction and carbon reduction in the petroleum refining industry.