A catalyst for production of carboxylic acid ester, containing: catalyst metal particles; and a support supporting the catalyst metal particles, wherein a bulk density of the catalyst for production of carboxylic acid ester is 0.50 g/cm.sup.3 or more and 1.50 g/cm.sup.3 or less, when a particle diameter, at which a cumulative frequency is x % in a particle diameter distribution based on a volume of the catalyst for production of carboxylic acid ester, is defined as D.sub.x, D.sub.10/D.sub.50?0.2 and D.sub.90/D.sub.50?2.5 are satisfied, and when a half-width of the particle diameter distribution is defined as W, W/D.sub.50?1.5 is satisfied.

A supported metal oxide nanocatalyst media includes periodate moieties chemisorbed to activated alumina. The supported mixed metal oxide nanocatalyst media can be porous granular particles or powder in mesh sizes ranging from about 30 microns to about 2,500 microns. The media acts as both an oxidant and an adsorbent and can remove organic and inorganic contaminants simultaneously.

A supported metal oxide nanocatalyst media includes periodate moieties chemisorbed to activated alumina. The supported mixed metal oxide nanocatalyst media can be porous granular particles or powder in mesh sizes ranging from about 30 microns to about 2,500 microns. The media acts as both an oxidant and an adsorbent and can remove organic and inorganic contaminants simultaneously.

The present invention relates to a method for production of ammonia, using an inorganic nanoparticle-microbial complex in which a nitrogen fixation reaction in a microorganism is improved by increasing the amount of inorganic nanoparticles entrapped in the microorganism. The present invention can produce ammonia at low temperature and low pressure conditions, compared to the conventional Haber-Bosch process of producing ammonia in high temperature and high pressure conditions and in a friendly environmental manner without emission of carbon dioxide that is released during conventional chemical synthesis processes, whereby the present invention may be a competitive alternative to the prior art for production of ammonia that has an unlimited potential as a future energy resource.

The present invention relates to a method for production of ammonia, using an inorganic nanoparticle-microbial complex in which a nitrogen fixation reaction in a microorganism is improved by increasing the amount of inorganic nanoparticles entrapped in the microorganism. The present invention can produce ammonia at low temperature and low pressure conditions, compared to the conventional Haber-Bosch process of producing ammonia in high temperature and high pressure conditions and in a friendly environmental manner without emission of carbon dioxide that is released during conventional chemical synthesis processes, whereby the present invention may be a competitive alternative to the prior art for production of ammonia that has an unlimited potential as a future energy resource.

A porous catalyst useful in the conversion of carbon dioxide to one or more hydrocarbons, the porous catalyst containing: (i) a bimetallic oxide portion containing at least one of iron oxide and nickel oxide or carbide in combination with at least one oxide, hydroxide, and/or carbide of at least one of manganese, cobalt, copper, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, hafnium, zinc, and lanthanides; and (ii) an alkali metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate portion in contact with the bimetallic oxide portion; wherein the porous catalyst contains pores in the bimetallic oxide portion. A method of using the porous catalyst to convert carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons, particularly olefins, containing at least four carbon atoms, is also described.

A porous catalyst useful in the conversion of carbon dioxide to one or more hydrocarbons, the porous catalyst containing: (i) a bimetallic oxide portion containing at least one of iron oxide and nickel oxide or carbide in combination with at least one oxide, hydroxide, and/or carbide of at least one of manganese, cobalt, copper, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, hafnium, zinc, and lanthanides; and (ii) an alkali metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate portion in contact with the bimetallic oxide portion; wherein the porous catalyst contains pores in the bimetallic oxide portion. A method of using the porous catalyst to convert carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons, particularly olefins, containing at least four carbon atoms, is also described.

Methods are provided for using a combination of nanomaterials and oil-degrading bacteria to detoxify a multiphasic liquid (e.g., an oil-water mixture) and to ameliorate the toxicity of oil to local organisms, e.g., meiobenthos, in or near the area of the multiphasic liquid. The methods can be utilized for oil recovery and environmental clean-up and detoxification after spills and discharges. Through synergistic combination of the nanomaterials with oil degrading bacteria, methods can ameliorate environmental damage due to the presence of oil in an area through increased activation of the bacteria as well as through removal of the oil.

Methods are provided for using a combination of nanomaterials and oil-degrading bacteria to detoxify a multiphasic liquid (e.g., an oil-water mixture) and to ameliorate the toxicity of oil to local organisms, e.g., meiobenthos, in or near the area of the multiphasic liquid. The methods can be utilized for oil recovery and environmental clean-up and detoxification after spills and discharges. Through synergistic combination of the nanomaterials with oil degrading bacteria, methods can ameliorate environmental damage due to the presence of oil in an area through increased activation of the bacteria as well as through removal of the oil.

A method of promoting a chemical reaction includes immersing a device in a solution contained in a reaction chamber, the device including a substrate and a plurality of conductive projections supported by the substrate, each conductive projection of the plurality of conductive projections having a semiconductor composition, irradiating the device to drive the chemical reaction, and controlling a temperature of the solution contained in the reaction chamber such that the temperature is maintained in a temperature range closer to a boiling temperature of the solution than a freezing temperature of the solution