The present invention provides a catalyst for an addition reaction of alkylene oxide, the catalyst comprises a nanocomposite ion-exchange resin having a structural formula of P-Im.sup.+-M.sup.−, wherein P is a nanocomposite resin matrix, Im.sup.+ is a cation derived from 5-6 membered heterocycle containing at least one nitrogen atom such as imidazolium cation, pyrazolium cation, pyrrolidinium cation, piperidinium cation, piperazinium cation, pyrimidinium cation, pyrazinium cation, pyridazinium cation, triazinium cation, and M.sup.− is an anion. The catalyst of the present invention can be used in the addition reaction of alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide. The catalyst has high wear resistance, high swelling resistance, and high activity. The products after the reaction are easy to separate, and the catalyst can be used continuously many times.

An ionic liquid catalyst and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The ionic liquid catalyst includes a carrier. The carrier contains nickel ferrite as a component, and an outer surface of the carrier is modified to have a decolorant and a degradation agent. The decolorant is grafted onto nickel atoms of the carrier, and the degradation agent is grafted onto iron atoms of the carrier. The method includes: providing the carrier that contains nickel ferrite as a component; and modifying the carrier, so that the nickel atoms of the carrier are grafted with the decolorant and the iron atoms of the carrier are grafted with the degradation agent. Accordingly, the ionic liquid catalyst is obtained.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates comprising: a pre-catalyst, which is BiCl.sub.3 having amounts in the range from 5 to 10% by weight of silica support; a compound having formula (I)

##STR00001## wherein: Y is selected from bromide (Br.sup.−) or iodide (I.sup.−); R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are methyl group or R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are taken together to form a heteroaryl ring having formula (II)

##STR00002##

and a silica (SiO.sub.2) support.

Provided herein are heterogeneous catalysts suitable for use in carbonylation reactions, including the production of acrylic acid from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide on an industrial scale. The production may involve various unit operations, including, for example: a beta-propiolactone production system configured to produce beta-propiolactone from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide; a polypropiolactone production system configured to produce polypropiolactone from beta-propiolactone; and an acrylic acid production system configured to produce acrylic acid with a high purity by thermolysis of polypropiolactone.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and epoxide-based compounds comprising: a pre-catalyst; and a co-catalyst wherein said pre catalyst is BiCl.sub.3 and said co-catalyst is selected from tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI), tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide (PBu.sub.4Br), tetra-n-butylphosphonium iodide (PBu.sub.4I) or mixtures thereof.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and epoxide-based compounds comprising: a pre-catalyst; and a co-catalyst wherein said pre catalyst is BiCl.sub.3 and said co-catalyst is selected from tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI), tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide (PBu.sub.4Br), tetra-n-butylphosphonium iodide (PBu.sub.4I) or mixtures thereof.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates comprising: a pre-catalyst, which is BiCl.sub.3 having amounts in the range from 5 to 10% by weight of silica support; a compound having formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein: Y is selected from bromide (Br.sup.?) or iodide (I.sup.?); R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are methyl group or R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are taken together to form a heteroaryl ring having formula (II) ##STR00002##
and a silica (SiO.sub.2) support.

A chemical composition includes graphene oxide covalently bonded to an ionic liquid. A nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (26) includes graphene oxide; and an ionic liquid covalently bonded to the graphene oxide. A fuel cell (20) includes an anode (22); a cathode (24); and a nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (26) including graphene oxide; an ionic liquid covalently bonded to the graphene oxide; and a base membrane. A method of fabricating a nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (26) includes functionalizing graphene oxide with an ionic liquid to create a nanocomposite; and forming an anion exchange membrane (26) with the nanocomposite.

In one aspect, catalytic membranes are described herein. In some embodiments, a catalytic membrane comprises a surface functionalized with a polymer, the polymer comprising cellulose solubilization functionalities and acid functionalities for the catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose and/or hemicellulose.

An ionic liquid catalyst and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The ionic liquid catalyst includes a carrier. The carrier contains nickel ferrite as a component, and an outer surface of the carrier is modified to have a decolorant and a degradation agent. The decolorant is grafted onto nickel atoms of the carrier, and the degradation agent is grafted onto iron atoms of the carrier. The method includes: providing the carrier that contains nickel ferrite as a component; and modifying the carrier, so that the nickel atoms of the carrier are grafted with the decolorant and the iron atoms of the carrier are grafted with the degradation agent. Accordingly, the ionic liquid catalyst is obtained.