Methods of producing high purity powders of submicron particles of metal oxides are presented. The methods comprise providing or forming an alloy of a first metal with a second metal, optionally heating the alloy, subjecting the alloy to a leaching agent to remove the second metal from the alloy and to oxidize the first metal, thus forming submicron oxide particles of the first metal. Collections of high purity, high surface area, submicron particles are presented as well.

A method of making highly an active mixed transition metal oxide material has been developed. The method may include sulfiding the metal oxide material to generate metal sulfides which are used as catalyst in a conversion process such as hydroprocessing. The hydroprocessing may include hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

The method for recycling carbon dioxide according to the present invention includes: injecting a reaction gas containing carbon dioxide and a carbon raw material into a rotary heating furnace; reacting the reaction gas and the carbon raw material with each other in the rotary heating furnace to generate a hydrocarbon precursor containing carbon monoxide; and converting the hydrocarbon precursor into a hydrocarbon compound, thereby exhibiting excellent conversion rate of carbon dioxide.

In one embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density in a range from about 30 to about 50 mg/cm.sup.3. In another embodiment, a kit includes an amorphous, porous material, an inert pressure medium, a heating source, and a sample chamber configured to withstand an applied pressure of at least about 20 GPa. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

This invention provides hierarchical cellular mesoporous metal-oxide compositions. Preferably, the hierarchical cellular mesoporous metal-oxide compositions are either AgTiO.sub.2 xanthum gum-based films or AgTiO.sub.2 oil based foams. Methods of making the hierarchical cellular mesoporous metal-oxide compositions of AgTiO.sub.2 xanthum gum-based films and AgTiO.sub.2 oil based foams are provided.

This invention provides hierarchical cellular mesoporous metal-oxide compositions. Preferably, the hierarchical cellular mesoporous metal-oxide compositions are either AgTiO.sub.2 xanthum gum-based films or AgTiO.sub.2 oil based foams. Methods of making the hierarchical cellular mesoporous metal-oxide compositions of AgTiO.sub.2 xanthum gum-based films and AgTiO.sub.2 oil based foams are provided.

Provided is a method for producing an inorganic oxide in the form of a thin film, the method including a step of bringing a first liquid and a second liquid into contact with each other, the first liquid having an inorganic oxide precursor dissolved therein, the second liquid phase-separating from the first liquid and having a substance dissolved therein, the substance reacting with the inorganic oxide precursor of the first liquid to form an inorganic oxide derived from the inorganic oxide precursor. The segment size of the first liquid at the time of contact between the first and second liquids is 500 m or smaller.

Provided is a method for producing an inorganic oxide in the form of a thin film, the method including a step of bringing a first liquid and a second liquid into contact with each other, the first liquid having an inorganic oxide precursor dissolved therein, the second liquid phase-separating from the first liquid and having a substance dissolved therein, the substance reacting with the inorganic oxide precursor of the first liquid to form an inorganic oxide derived from the inorganic oxide precursor. The segment size of the first liquid at the time of contact between the first and second liquids is 500 m or smaller.

A method includes positioning a porous structure in a pressure cell; injecting an inert pressure medium within the pressure cell; and pressurizing the pressure cell to a pressure that thermodynamically favors a crystalline phase of the porous structure over an amorphous phase of the porous structure to transition the amorphous phase of the porous structure into the crystalline phase of the porous structure.

A method of producing an oxide of manganese including reacting, in a first aqueous solution, a manganese salt and an alkali agent to form manganese hydroxide; separating the manganese hydroxide from the first solution; mixing the manganese hydroxide into an aqueous medium to form a manganese hydroxide suspension; mixing the manganese hydroxide suspension with alkali metal hydroxide to form a second aqueous solution; and oxidizing the manganese hydroxide in the second aqueous solution to form an oxide of manganese. The dried oxide of manganese includes birnessite, a maximum of 20% hausmannite, and a maximum of 10% feitknechtite, may further include a maximum of 400 ppm of anions, may have a specific surface area of at least 25 m.sup.2/g, and may have an average oxidation state of greater than 3.5.