A honeycomb structure comprising a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure body, wherein the honeycomb structure body has at least one missing part, the average size of the missing part is such that the radial length on the end face of the honeycomb structure body is 0.8 to 8.0 mm, the perimeter along the rim of the end face of the honeycomb structure body is 0.8 to 41.0 mm, and the axial length in the extending direction of the cells of the honeycomb structure body is 0.1 to 32.0 mm, and a percentage of a ratio of total area of the missing part is 1.40% or less.

The present invention provides compositions and methods of making bimetallic metal alloys of composition for example, Rh/Pd; Rh/Pt; Rh/Ag; Rh/Au; Rh/Ru; Rh/Co; Rh/Ir; Rh/Ni; Ir/Pd; Ir/Pt; Ir/Ag; Ir/Au; Pd/Ni; Pd/Pt; Pd/Ag; Pd/Au; Pt/Ni; Pt/Ag; Pt/Au; Ni/Ag; Ni/Au; or Ag/Au prepared using microwave irradiation.

Methods of making an iron based catalyst using microwave hydrothermal synthesis are provided. The methods include dissolving iron(III) nitrate, Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3, in an organic solvent to form a solution. Once dissolved, the methods include a step of neutralizing the solution with an alkaline mineralizing agent to obtain a precipitate. The solution with the precipitate is then subjected to microwave radiation to cause a temperature gradient and a hydrothermal crystallization process to form a synthesized product. The synthesized product is subsequently separated from the mineralizing agent. The method includes washing and drying the synthesized product to obtain particles of sodium iron oxide (NaFeO.sub.2) catalyst that can be used as a composition for a passive NO.sub.x adsorber. A two-stage NO.sub.x abatement device for removal of NO.sub.x from an exhaust gas stream during a cold start operation of an internal combustion engine is also provided.

A method for producing biodiesel using a sulfonated, carbonaceous catalyst produced from rice husk, Moringa seeds, or algae biomass, a method for producing the catalyst, and the catalyst itself.

A method of enhancing a chemical reaction. The method includes providing catalyst particles with a predefined geometric shape having at least one of edges and points; and applying microwave energy to the catalyst particles, enhancing catalytic activity of the catalyst particles without increasing bulk temperature of surrounding reactants.

The present invention relates to a catalytically active material for the electrochemical oxidation of water, wherein the catalytically active material comprises an amorphous Ir-oxohydroxide, wherein the catalytically active material has a specific surface area (S.sub.BET) of 50 m.sup.2.g.sup.1; an electrode coated with the catalytically active material; a proton exchange membrane (PEM) based electrolyzer comprising the electrode; the use of the catalytically active material, the electrode or the electrolyzer the electrochemical oxidation of water; and a process for preparing the catalytically active material comprising the microwave-assisted thermal treatment of a basic solution of an Ir(III) or Ir(IV) complex.

Compositions of manganese accumulating plants.

High activity metal nanoparticle catalysts, such as Pd or Pt nanoparticle catalyst, are provided. Adsorption of metal precursors such as Pd or Pt precursors onto carbonbased materials such as graphene followed by solventless (or low-solvent) microwave irradiation at ambient conditions results in the formation of the catalysts in which metal nanoparticles are supported on i) the surface of the carbon based materials and ii) in/on/within defects/holes in the carbon based materials.

The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO.sub.2KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

The use, after heat treatment, of manganese accumulating plants for carrying out chemical reactions.