A catalyst support comprising samarium, zirconium and aluminum is disclosed. The catalyst support may have a general formula of Sm.sub.2xZr.sub.xAl.sub.2xO.sub.4, in which x is a molar ratio that may be between 0.3 and 0.6.

Disclosed is a catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane with high conversion by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, or a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, or a gas mixture containing these compounds as the main components. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of mixing (A) aqueous zirconia sol with salts of (B) stabilizing element(s), which is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg, and (C) iron group element(s), drying and calcining the mixture to obtain a catalyst precursor, and subsequent reduction of the precursor. The catalyst comprises, by atomic %, A: 18-70%, B: 1-20% and C: 25-80% based on the elemental states of the metals. The catalyst is characterized by multiple oxide of tetragonal zirconia structure, in which not only the stabilizing element (s) but also a part of the iron group element(s) is incorporated, and on which the iron group element(s) in the metallic state is supported.

Disclosed is a catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane with high conversion by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, or a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, or a gas mixture containing these compounds as the main components. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of mixing (A) aqueous zirconia sol with salts of (B) stabilizing element(s), which is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg, and (C) iron group element(s), drying and calcining the mixture to obtain a catalyst precursor, and subsequent reduction of the precursor. The catalyst comprises, by atomic %, A: 18-70%, B: 1-20% and C: 25-80% based on the elemental states of the metals. The catalyst is characterized by multiple oxide of tetragonal zirconia structure, in which not only the stabilizing element (s) but also a part of the iron group element(s) is incorporated, and on which the iron group element(s) in the metallic state is supported.

Disclosed is a catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane with high conversion by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, or a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, or a gas mixture containing these compounds as the main components. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of mixing (A) aqueous zirconia sol with salts of (B) stabilizing element(s), which is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg, and (C) iron group element(s), drying and calcining the mixture to obtain a catalyst precursor, and subsequent reduction of the precursor. The catalyst comprises, by atomic %, A: 18-70%, B: 1-20% and C: 25-80% based on the elemental states of the metals. The catalyst is characterized by multiple oxide of tetragonal zirconia structure, in which not only the stabilizing element(s) but also a part of the iron group element(s) is incorporated, and on which the iron group element(s) in the metallic state is supported.

Disclosed is a catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane with high conversion by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, or a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, or a gas mixture containing these compounds as the main components. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of mixing (A) aqueous zirconia sol with salts of (B) stabilizing element(s), which is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg, and (C) iron group element(s), drying and calcining the mixture to obtain a catalyst precursor, and subsequent reduction of the precursor. The catalyst comprises, by atomic %, A: 18-70%, B: 1-20% and C: 25-80% based on the elemental states of the metals. The catalyst is characterized by multiple oxide of tetragonal zirconia structure, in which not only the stabilizing element(s) but also a part of the iron group element(s) is incorporated, and on which the iron group element(s) in the metallic state is supported.

A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium, and at least one of samarium, praseodymium and neodymium.

A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium, and at least one of samarium, praseodymium and neodymium.

A heterogeneous catalyst for selectively hydrogenating a copolymer is provided, which includes a porous support, a metal oxide wrapping a part of the surface of the porous support, and a plurality of palladium particles on the porous support and the metal oxide. A method for selectively hydrogenating a copolymer is also provided, which includes contacting a heterogeneous catalyst to a copolymer to process hydrogenation. The copolymer includes aromatic rings and nonaromatic double bonds, and the nonaromatic double bonds are hydrogenated, and the aromatic rings are substantially not hydrogenated. The heterogeneous catalyst includes a porous support, a metal oxide wrapping a part of the surface of the porous support, and a plurality of palladium particles formed on the porous support and the metal oxide.

A heterogeneous catalyst for selectively hydrogenating a copolymer is provided, which includes a porous support, a metal oxide wrapping a part of the surface of the porous support, and a plurality of palladium particles on the porous support and the metal oxide. A method for selectively hydrogenating a copolymer is also provided, which includes contacting a heterogeneous catalyst to a copolymer to process hydrogenation. The copolymer includes aromatic rings and nonaromatic double bonds, and the nonaromatic double bonds are hydrogenated, and the aromatic rings are substantially not hydrogenated. The heterogeneous catalyst includes a porous support, a metal oxide wrapping a part of the surface of the porous support, and a plurality of palladium particles formed on the porous support and the metal oxide.

Disclosed is a catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane with high conversion by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, or a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, or a gas mixture containing these compounds as the main components. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of mixing (A) aqueous zirconia sol with salts of (B) stabilizing element(s), which is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg, and (C) iron group element(s), drying and calcining the mixture to obtain a catalyst precursor, and subsequent reduction of the precursor. The catalyst comprises, by atomic %, A: 18-70%, B: 1-20% and C: 25-80% based on the elemental states of the metals. The catalyst is characterized by multiple oxide of tetragonal zirconia structure, in which not only the stabilizing element(s) but also a part of the iron group element(s) is incorporated, and on which the iron group element(s) in the metallic state is supported.