The present disclosure relates to an RHO-type zeolite comprising caesium and M.sup.1 .sub.wherein M.sup.1 is selected from Na and/or Li remarkable in that it has a Si/Al molar ratio comprised between 1.2 and 3.0 as determined by .sup.29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, in that the RHO-type zeolite has a specific surface area comprised between 40 m.sup.2g.sup.−1 and 250 m.sup.2g.sup.−1 as determined by N.sub.2 adsorption measurements, in that the RHO-type zeolite being in the form of one or more nanoparticles with an average crystal size comprised between 10 nm and 400 nm as determined by scanning electron microscopy wherein said nanoparticles form monodispersed nanocrystals or form aggregates of nanocrystals having an average size ranging from 100 nm to 500 nm, as determined by scanning electron microscopy. Amorphous precursors, devoid of an organic structure-directing agent, as well as a method for preparation of these amorphous precursors in the absence of such organic structure-directing agent and method for preparation of the RHO-type zeolites, are alos described. Finally, the use of the RHO-type zeolite as a sorbent for carbon dioxide is also demonstrated.

The present disclosure relates to a chabazite-type zeolite, comprising at least two cages composed of 4- and 8-membered rings connected by one 6-membered double ring, remarkable in that it has a Si/Al molar ratio comprised between 1 and 15, in that it comprises caesium and potassium with a Cs/K molar ratio of at most 5.0 and in that it forms nanoparticles with an average crystal size comprised between 5 nm and 250 nm and with a specific surface area comprised between 50 m.sup.2g.sup.−1 and 200 m.sup.2g.sup.−1. Amorphous precursors, devoid of an organic structure-directing agent, as well as a method for preparation of these amorphous precursors in the absence of such organic structure-directing agent and method for preparation of the chabazite-type zeolite, are also described. Finally, the use of the chabazite-type zeolite as a sorbent for carbon dioxide is also demonstrated.

A functionalized silica sorbent is described. The sorbent comprises mesoporous silica nanoparticles having a surface functionalized with a conjugated system comprising an azole and a phenyl. The surface may be functionalized by a Cu-catalyzed click reaction. The nanoparticles have an average particle size of 10-80 nm, and may be used to adsorb phenolic contaminants from aqueous solutions.

Porous cellulose microparticles and their use in, inter alias, cosmetic and pharmaceutic preparations are provided. These microparticles comprise cellulose I nanocrystals aggregated together, thus forming the microparticles, and arranged around cavities in the microparticles, thus defining pores in the microparticles. A method of for producing these microparticles is also provided. It involves mixing a suspension of cellulose I nanocrystals with an emulsion of a porogen to produce a mixture comprising a continuous liquid phase in which droplets of the porogen are dispersed and in which the nanocrystals of cellulose I are suspended; spray-drying the mixture to produce microparticles; and if the porogen has not sufficiently evaporated during spray-drying to form pores in the microparticles, evaporating the porogen or leaching the porogen out of the microparticles to form pores in the microparticles.

A composite absorbent filter media having adsorption and/or absorption properties for the filtration of ester oils from a liquid includes a graphene and/or graphite composite mixed into a final emulsion, which is subsequently heat treated or cured, cooled, compressed, and dried. The resultant adsorption/absorption media is then disposed within a plug structure having an ingress and egress for liquids mixed with ester oils to pass through. Alternatively, the resultant adsorption/absorption media is disposed into a fabric and formed as a wall used to enclose oil-filled equipment. The media adsorbs/absorbs the ester oils from the liquid, while allowing the liquid to disperse and pass through.

An aminated magnesium oxide adsorbent containing a magnesium oxide matrix having disordered mesopores and a BET surface area of 320 to 380 m.sup.2/g, and a polyamine selected from the group consisting of an ethyleneamine having a molecular weight of up to 450 g/mol and a polyethylene imine having a number average molecular weight of greater than 500 g/mol and up to 20,000 g/mol, wherein the polyamine is impregnated within the disordered mesopores of the magnesium oxide matrix. A method of making the aminated magnesium oxide adsorbent and a method of capturing CO.sub.2 from a gas mixture with the aminated magnesium oxide adsorbent are also described.

Disclosed herein are composite materials and methods of making and use thereof. The composite materials comprise: a carbon nanotube and a plurality of ferrihydrite particles disposed on the carbon nanotube, the composite material comprising the plurality of ferrihydrite particles and the carbon nanotube in a weight ratio of from 5:95 to 95:5. The weight ratio can be selected such that the composite material has a desired balance between specific surface area and specific capacitance. Also disclosed herein are methods comprising: making a plurality of the composite materials, the weight ratio of the plurality of ferrihydrite particles and the carbon nanotube being different for each composite material; and determining and comparing the specific surface area and specific surface capacitance for the plurality of composite materials to determine the weight ratio at which the composite material has a desired balance between the specific surface area and the specific capacitance.

Methods for the manufacture of sorbent compositions, sorbent compositions and methods for using the sorbent compositions. The methods include the utilization of an acidic halogen solution as a source of a halogen species that is dispersed on a solid sorbent. The use of the acidic halogen solution results in a highly active halogen species that demonstrates improved efficacy for the removal of heavy metal(s) from a flue gas. The sorbent composition includes a substantially amorphous halogen species associated with a solid sorbent such as powdered activated carbon (PAC).

The invention concerns new types of porous coordination polymers (MOF) and a method for their preparation. MOFs have been prepared through synthesis of salts of trivalent cations M.sup.3+, the source of which are aluminium, chromium, iron or yttrium salts, it is advantageous if of chlorides, nitrates or sulphates, with linkers carrying two or more phosphinic groups under presence of solvent. Linkers are phenylene-1,4-bis(R phosphinic acid) (PBPA) and biphenylene-4,4′-bis(R phosphinic acid) (BBPA). For the prepared MOFs, the structure has been tested using x-ray powder diffraction, specific surface and porousness which have been characterised through adsorption isotherm of nitrogen and further the stability of prepared MOFs has been determined using thermogravimetric analysis. All the prepared MOFs have been stable around 400° C. and have contained mesopores or micropores where hydrogen or CO.sub.2, for example, can be stored.

A functionalized silica sorbent is described. The sorbent comprises mesoporous silica nanoparticles having a surface functionalized with a conjugated system comprising an azole and a phenyl. The surface may be functionalized by a Cu-catalyzed click reaction. The nanoparticles have an average particle size of 10-80 nm, and may be used to adsorb phenolic contaminants from aqueous solutions.