Photoactive catalyst and methods of producing H.sub.2 by photocatalytic water splitting. The photoactive catalyst includes an upconverting material, a photocatalyst material, and plasmonic metal nanostructures deposited on the surface of the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is not embedded in or coated by the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is capable of emitting light at a first wavelength that has an energy equal to or higher than the band gap of the photocatalyst material and at a second wavelength that can be absorbed by the plasmonic metal nanostructures.

A mixed metal oxide solid acid catalyst composition is disclosed which provides substantially improved conversion for hydrocarbon transformation reactions namely, alkylation and isomerization. The catalyst composition includes a sulfate ion, Platinum group metal and a mixed metal oxide support material bearing molecular formula:

x.sub.1ZrO.sub.2.x.sub.2Al.sub.2O.sub.3.x.sub.3Yb.sub.2O.sub.3.x.sub.4CuO

wherein the molar coefficients for individual metal oxides are as follows:
x1=55 to 7510.sup.2; x2=12 to 2510.sup.2; x3=1 to 610.sup.2 and x4=0.1 to 510.sup.2;

The concentration of the sulfate ion on the aforementioned catalyst support is between 5 to 17 wt % and that of Platinum group metal is 0.05 to 2.0 wt %.

A mixed metal oxide solid acid catalyst composition is disclosed which provides substantially improved conversion for hydrocarbon transformation reactions namely, alkylation and isomerization. The catalyst composition includes a sulfate ion, Platinum group metal and a mixed metal oxide support material bearing molecular formula:

x.sub.1ZrO.sub.2.x.sub.2Al.sub.2O.sub.3.x.sub.3Yb.sub.2O.sub.3.x.sub.4CuO

wherein the molar coefficients for individual metal oxides are as follows:
x1=55 to 7510.sup.2; x2=12 to 2510.sup.2; x3=1 to 610.sup.2 and x4=0.1 to 510.sup.2;

The concentration of the sulfate ion on the aforementioned catalyst support is between 5 to 17 wt % and that of Platinum group metal is 0.05 to 2.0 wt %.

Catalysts, catalytic materials having catalysts present on supports and catalytic methods are provided. The catalysts, catalytic material and methods are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane.

Catalysts, catalytic materials having catalysts present on supports and catalytic methods are provided. The catalysts, catalytic material and methods are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane.

A catalyst composition, suitable for producing ethylene and other C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons from methane. The composition includes a blended product of two distinct catalyst components, blended at such synergistic proportions, that results in a catalyst having high C.sub.2+ hydrocarbon selectivity while maintaining an overall sufficient catalyst activity and low ethyne selectivity. Methods for preparing such a catalyst composition and a process for producing C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons using such a catalyst composition are provided.

A catalyst composition, suitable for producing ethylene and other C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons from methane. The composition includes a blended product of two distinct catalyst components, blended at such synergistic proportions, that results in a catalyst having high C.sub.2+ hydrocarbon selectivity while maintaining an overall sufficient catalyst activity and low ethyne selectivity. Methods for preparing such a catalyst composition and a process for producing C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons using such a catalyst composition are provided.

A catalytic material for oxidative coupling of methane includes: a catalyst with the formula A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.cO.sub.x, wherein: A is selected from alkaline earth metals; B and C are selected from rare earth metals, and wherein B and C are different rare earth metals; and the oxide of at least A, B, and C has basic, redox, or both basic and redox properties, and wherein the elements A, B, and C are selected to create a synergistic effect whereby the catalytic material provides an oxygen conversion of greater than or equal to 50% and a C.sub.2.sup.+ selectivity of greater than or equal to 70%, and wherein the catalyst provides the oxygen conversion and selectivity at a temperature of 797 F. (425 C.) or greater. The catalyst can be used in an oxidative coupling of methane reactor at lower feed temperatures compared to other catalysts.

A catalytic material for oxidative coupling of methane includes: a catalyst with the formula A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.cO.sub.x, wherein: A is selected from alkaline earth metals; B and C are selected from rare earth metals, and wherein B and C are different rare earth metals; and the oxide of at least A, B, and C has basic, redox, or both basic and redox properties, and wherein the elements A, B, and C are selected to create a synergistic effect whereby the catalytic material provides an oxygen conversion of greater than or equal to 50% and a C.sub.2.sup.+ selectivity of greater than or equal to 70%, and wherein the catalyst provides the oxygen conversion and selectivity at a temperature of 797 F. (425 C.) or greater. The catalyst can be used in an oxidative coupling of methane reactor at lower feed temperatures compared to other catalysts.

Supported oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalysts, methods of making the catalysts, and uses thereof are described. A supported OCM) catalyst can include a nonporous inert support having a high thermal conductivity and an OCM mixed metal oxide material in contact with surface of the nonporous inert support.