An organic matter decomposition catalyst that contains a perovskite type complex oxide represented by A.sub.xB.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.w, wherein A contains 90 at % or more of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ba and Sr, B contains 80 at % or more of Zr, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni, and Fe, y+z=1, x>1, z<0.4, and w is a positive value that satisfies electrical neutrality.

Methods for conditioning an ethylene epoxidation catalyst are provided. The conditioning methods comprise contacting an ethylene epoxidation catalyst comprising a carrier, having silver and a rhenium promoter deposited thereon, with a conditioning feed gas comprising oxygen for a period of time of at least 2 hours at a temperature that is above 180° C. and at most 250° C., wherein the contacting of the ethylene epoxidation catalyst with the conditioning feed gas occurs in an epoxidation reactor and in the absence of ethylene. Associated methods for the epoxidation of ethylene are also provided.

Provided is a method capable of producing an olefin with high selectivity and high yield using a vicinal diol as a raw material. A method for producing an olefin includes a step of reacting a compound including two adjacent carbon atoms each containing a hydroxy group with hydrogen and forming an olefin, and in this step, the reaction of the compound including two adjacent carbon atoms each containing a hydroxy group with the hydrogen proceeds in the presence of a catalyst under a condition substantially free of a solvent. The catalyst includes a carrier, at least one oxide supported on the carrier and selected from the group consisting of oxides of group-6 elements and oxides of group-7 elements, and at least one metal supported on the carrier and selected from the group consisting of silver, iridium, and gold.

Provided is a method capable of producing an olefin with high selectivity and high yield using a vicinal diol as a raw material. A method for producing an olefin includes a step of reacting a compound including two adjacent carbon atoms each containing a hydroxy group with hydrogen and forming an olefin, and in this step, the reaction of the compound including two adjacent carbon atoms each containing a hydroxy group with the hydrogen proceeds in the presence of a catalyst under a condition substantially free of a solvent. The catalyst includes a carrier, at least one oxide supported on the carrier and selected from the group consisting of oxides of group-6 elements and oxides of group-7 elements, and at least one metal supported on the carrier and selected from the group consisting of silver, iridium, and gold.

The present invention provides a heterojunction photocatalyst having higher photocatalytic activity than that of a conventional heterojunction photocatalyst. Further, the present invention provides a photocatalyst composite having the heterojunction photocatalyst on a substrate, a method for producing the heterojunction photocatalyst, and a method for producing hydrogen using the heterojunction photocatalyst or the photocatalyst composite The het junction photocatalyst of the present invention has a solid mediator between a hydrogen-evolution photocatalyst and an oxygen-evolution photocatalyst, and the solid mediator is selectively joined to an electrons collecting surface of the oxygen-evolution photocatalyst.

The present invention is directed to a shaped catalyst body for preparing ethylene oxide, which comprises at least silver, cesium and rhenium applied to an alumina support, wherein the alumina support comprises Si, Ca, and Mg in a defined amount. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a process for preparing the catalyst according to the present invention and process for preparing ethylene oxide by gas-phase oxidation of ethylene by means of oxygen in the presence of a shaped catalyst body according to the present invention.

A carrier for an ethylene epoxidation catalyst, the carrier comprising a porous alumina body formed of sintered particles of alumina in a substantial absence of inorganic binder species other than alumina, wherein the substantial absence of inorganic binder species corresponds to an amount of less than 0.6 wt % inorganic binder species other than alumina and comprises at least a substantial absence of silicon-containing species.

A catalyst for decomposing an organic substance, the catalyst having a body which has a plurality of pores and the body contains a perovskite-type composite oxide represented by A.sub.xB.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.w, where the A contains at least one selected from Ba and Sr, the B contains Zr, the M is at least one selected from Mn, Co, Ni, and Fe, 1.001≤x≤1.1, 0.05≤z≤0.2, y+z=1, and w is a positive value that satisfies electrical neutrality. The average pore diameter of the plurality of pores is 49 nm to 260 nm and the pore volume of each of the plurality of pores is 0.08 cm.sup.3/g to 0.37 cm.sup.3/g.

A method of treating an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine comprising contacting the exhaust gas with a lean NO.sub.x trap catalyst is disclosed. The lean NO.sub.x trap catalyst comprises a first layer and a second layer.

A porous ceramic body is provided for a variety of applications. The porous ceramic body includes mesocrystals of alumina such as, for example, alpha alumina. Porous alpha alumina bodies containing the mesocrystal microstructure can provide enhanced activity and catalyst lifetime when the same is used as a carrier for a silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst.