A catalyst system includes a complex having formula I which advantageously has a sterically protecting N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) carbene-pyridine ligand to handle harsh reactions conditions than many prior art catalysts:

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wherein M is a transition metal; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1-6 alkyl, a C.sub.6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C.sub.5-18 heteroaryl. In a refinement, R.sub.1 is methyl, ethyl, butyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl; R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.3′ are independently an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl, halo (e.g., Cl, F, Br, etc), NO.sub.2, an optionally substituted C.sub.6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C.sub.5-18 heteroaryl; R.sub.4, R.sub.4′ are independently an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl, halo, NO.sub.2, an optionally substituted C.sub.6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C.sub.5-18 heteroaryl; and X.sup.− is a negatively charge counter ion and L.sub.1, L.sub.2 are each independently a neutral ligand.

A CO shift catalyst according to the present invention reforms carbon monoxide (CO) in gas. The CO shift catalyst has one of molybdenum (Mo) or iron (Fe) as a main component and has an active ingredient having one of nickel (Ni) or ruthenium (Ru) as an accessory component and one or two or more kinds of oxides from among titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), and cerium (Ce) for supporting the active ingredient as a support. The temperature at the time of manufacturing and firing the catalyst is equal to or higher than 550° C.

Methods and apparatuses to produce graphene and nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene without the use of reducing agents, and with the concomitant production of heat, are provided. The methods and apparatuses employ radiant energy to reduce (deoxygenate) graphite oxide (GO) to graphene, or to reduce a mixture of GO plus one or more metals to produce nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene. Methods and systems to generate and utilize heat that is produced by irradiating GO, graphene and their metal and semiconductor nanocomposites with visible, infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. using sunlight, lasers, etc. are also provided.

Methods for bi-reforming with a red mud catalyst support composition, one method including providing a methane feed in the presence of carbon dioxide and steam to react over the red mud catalyst support composition at increased temperature and increased pressure to produce synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO, the composition comprising red mud material produced from an alumina extraction process from bauxite ore.

A method for producing a hydrogen rich gas from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising the steps of introducing the hydrocarbon feed to a reactor, the reactor comprising a low temperature reforming catalyst, the low temperature reforming catalyst comprising an amount of praseodymium, 12 wt % nickel, and an aluminum oxide component, contacting the low temperature reforming catalyst with the hydrocarbon feed in the reactor, wherein the reactor operates at a temperature between 500° C. and 600° C., wherein the reactor operates at a pressure between 3 bar and 40 bar, and producing the hydrogen rich gas over the low temperature reforming catalyst, wherein the hydrogen rich gas comprises hydrogen.

Methods for autothermal reforming over a modified red mud catalyst composition, one method including providing a methane feed with oxygen and carbon dioxide to react over the modified red mud catalyst composition at increased temperature and increased pressure to produce synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO, the composition comprising red mud material produced from an alumina extraction process from bauxite ore; nickel oxide, the nickel oxide present at between about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition; and a Periodic Table Group VIB metal oxide, the Group VIB metal oxide present at between about 1 wt. % and about 30 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition.

In an aspect a method of recovering hydrogen, the method comprises reacting a hydrocarbon to form a carbon compound and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the carbon compound comprises at least one of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide; separating the carbon compound from the hydrogen; directing the carbon compound to a cathode side of an electrochemical cell and directing water to an anode side of the electrochemical cell; electrolyzing the water on the anode side to form oxygen and protons; applying a voltage to a membrane and electrode assembly in the electrochemical cell to cause the protons to traverse through a proton exchange membrane from an anode to a cathode on the cathode side; and reacting the protons with the carbon compound to form an organic product.

The present invention provides an impregnated catalyst composition for production of pure hydrogen comprising: 10 wt %-50 wt % metal oxide; 1 wt %-15 wt % promoter; and 60 wt %-90 wt % support material. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of preparation of an impregnated catalyst for pure hydrogen production (10) and a method for producing pure hydrogen (20) according to the impregnated catalyst of the present invention. The present invention is able to reduce the reaction temperature by 1 to 2 folds and also able to reduce the usage of energy but maintain its good production quality. Besides, selectivity of the present invention is high, hence able to produce high purity of hydrogen.

Functionalized substrates are provided comprising a substrate and a plurality of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterostructures on a surface of the substrate, each TMD heterostructure comprising a TMD shell over a heterogeneous nucleation site, thereby providing a core-shell heterostructure, the heterogeneous nucleation site composed of a heterogeneous nucleation material; and a TMD wing extending outwardly from the core-shell heterostructure and non-parallel to and above the substrate surface. Electrocatalytic systems comprising the functionalized substrates are also provided.

The invention relates to a method and a system for producing a hydrocarbon- and hydrogen-containing gas mixture from plastics, and the use of the system for producing this gas mixture and the use of this gas mixture as a starting material in chemical syntheses or for gas supply.