The invention relates to a method of preparing titanium dioxide-coated nanostars. Titanium precursors are hydrolyzed into crystalline TiO.sub.2 polymorphs at low temperatures, allowing the delicate morphology of the nanostars to be preserved while maintaining their desirable photocatalytic properties.

A diesel engine emissions catalyst which may be used to fill a niche between standard oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filters for control of diesel particulate matter. The catalyst includes a structure (substrate) comprising one or more coated, corrugated micro-expanded metal foil layers. The coated surface may be a high surface area, stabilized, and promoted washcoat layer. The corrugated pattern may include a herringbone-style pattern that, when in use, is oriented in a longitudinal direction of the diesel engine exhaust flow. The micro-expanded metal foil provides small openings or eyes that, as the exhaust flow passes through the catalyst (transverse to the eye opening), particulates in the flow impinge on the surface and becomes trapped in the eyes. The catalyst may be used to treat a locomotive engine exhaust stream and may be used with a selective catalyst reduction system.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising platinum supported on titanium oxide, the platinum particles having an average particle diameter of 50-200 nm. The composition has a surprisingly low light-off temperature for the ammonia oxidation and a high selectivity for oxidation to N2.

A nickel-iron catalytic material, a preparation method thereof, and a use thereof in the hydrogen production through water electrolysis and the preparation of a liquid solar fuel (LSF) are provided. The nickel-iron catalytic material is prepared by using a soluble iron salt as a raw material and growing on a modified nickel substrate under mild conditions, and the nickel-iron catalytic material can be used in the industrial alkaline water electrolysis under harsh conditions. The nickel-iron catalytic material includes a nickel metal substrate and a catalytically-active layer with iron and nickel. When used to promote a water splitting reaction, the nickel-iron catalytic material can reduce the energy consumption per m.sup.3 of hydrogen production through industrial alkaline water electrolysis from 4.4 kWh to 4.01 kWh, thereby increasing the conversion of solar energy to methanol by 9.7%.

Provided are an intermetallic compound having high stability and high activity, and a catalyst using the same. A hydrogen storage/release material containing an intermetallic compound represented by formula (1): RTX . . . (1) wherein R represents a lanthanoid element, T represents a transition metal in period 4 or period 5 in the periodic table, and X represents Si, Al or Ge.

Novel multi-metal catalysts comprising abundant Earth metals are described herein. Devices comprising the catalysts of the invention are also described. Methods of producing the catalysts are also described herein. Methods of producing hydrogen using the catalysts of the invention are also described herein.

The present disclosure provides a method of forming a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, the method including receiving a first iron-promoted zeolite having a first iron content, and treating the iron-promoted zeolite with additional iron in an ion exchange step to form a second iron-promoted zeolite with a second iron content, the second iron content being higher than the first iron content. A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst composition including an ironpromoted zeolite having at least about 6 weight percent iron, based on total weight of the ironpromoted zeolite, wherein the iron content of the zeolite was added to the zeolite in at least two separate steps is also provided herein.

An antimicrobial coating composition comprising a nanoparticle composite having a core and at least one shell, wherein the core comprises a silver nanoparticle having an antimicrobial action. The at least one shell is formed by a doped semiconductor providing a photocatalytic action and increasing the stability of silver nanoparticle core by controlling the releasing of Ag ions. The nanoparticle composite comprises a nanoparticle of a noble metal providing surface plasmon under the presence of electromagnetic radiation.

A steam reformer is provided which comprises at least one externally-heated tube. Each tube comprises a first catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst in particulate form and a second catalyst supported on a structure, wherein said first catalyst bed is located between the inlet of the tube and the second catalyst supported on said structure. A process for steam reforming of a feed gas mixture using said steam reformer is also provided.

An exhaust gas purification catalytic device includes: a substrate; at least one type of noble-metal catalyst that is supported on the substrate; and a coating layer on the surface of the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of cells which are demarcated by porous walls. The substrate and the coating layer each include ceria-zirconia composite oxide particles.