A process for producing an unsupported molybdenum sulfide nanocatalyst comprising atomizing a molybdenum oxide solution to form a molybdenum oxide aerosol, pyrolyzing the molybdenum oxide aerosol with a laser beam to form the unsupported molybdenum-based nanocatalyst, and pre-sulfiding at least a portion of the unsupported molybdenum-based nanocatalyst to form an unsupported molybdenum sulfide nanocatalyst, wherein the unsupported molybdenum-based nanocatalyst, the unsupported molybdenum sulfide catalyst or both are in the form of nanoparticles with a diameter of 1-10 nm and in a distorted rutile crystalline structure. A method of selective deep hydrodesulfurization whereby a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least one sulfur-containing component and at least one hydrocarbon is contacted with the unsupported molybdenum sulfide nanocatalyst.

Provided is a method for growing carbon nanotubes that enables the growth of high-density carbon nanotubes. A high frequency bias voltage is applied to a loading table on which a wafer W having a catalytic metal layer is mounted to generate a bias potential on the surface of the wafer W, and oxygen plasma is used to micronize the catalytic metal layer to form catalytic metal particles. Thereafter, hydrogen plasma is used to reduce the surface of the catalytic metal particles to form activated catalytic metal particles having an activated surface. By using each activated catalytic metal particles as a nucleus, carbon nanotubes are formed.

A method of forming a carbon nanotube array substrate is disclosed. One embodiment comprises depositing a composite catalyst layer on the substrate, oxidizing the composite catalyst layer, reducing the oxidized composite catalyst layer, and growing the array on the composite catalyst layer. The composite catalyst layer may comprise a group VIII element and a non-catalytic element deposited onto the substrate from an alloy. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer comprises alternating layers of iron and a lanthanide, preferably gadolinium or lanthanum. The composite catalyst layer may be reused to grow multiple carbon nanotube arrays without additional processing of the substrate. The method may comprise bulk synthesis by forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of particulate substrates having a composite catalyst layer comprising the group VIII element and the non-catalytic element. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer is deposited on both sides of the substrate.

A nanocomposite coating and method of making and using the coating. The nanocomposite coating is disposed on a base material, such as a metal or ceramic; and the nanocomposite consists essentially of a matrix of an alloy selected from the group of Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt and Re which are catalytically active for cracking of carbon bonds in oils and greases and a grain structure selected from the group of borides, carbides and nitrides.

The invention relates to a process for preparing aluminates of the general formula (I)

A.sub.1B.sub.xAl.sub.12-xO.sub.19-y where A is at least one element from the group consisting of Sr, Ba and La, B is at least one element from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Rh, Cu and Zn, x=0.05-1.0, y is a value determined by the oxidation states of the other elements, which comprises the steps (i) provision of one or more solutions or suspensions comprising precursor compounds of the elements A and B and also a precursor compound of aluminum in a solvent, (ii) conversion of the solutions or suspensions or the solutions into an aerosol, (iii) introduction of the aerosol into a directly or indirectly heated pyrolysis zone, (iv) carrying out of the pyrolysis and (v) separation of the resulting particles comprising hexaaluminate of the general formula (I) from the pyrolysis gas.

Provided is a method for forming catalytic nanocoating on a metal surface. The method comprises pretreating the metal surface by means of heat treatment at 500-800° C., forming a metaloxide support, and depositing catalytic nanosized metal and/or metaloxide particles on the metaloxide support and coating the metal surface with catalytic nanosized metal and/or metaloxide particles. Further, the invention relates to a catalyst and a use.

There is provided a cluster-supporting porous carrier having improved heat resistance and/or catalytic activity, and a method for producing it. The cluster-supporting porous carrier of the invention has porous carrier particles (20) such as zeolite particles, and metal oxide clusters (16) supported within the pores of the porous carrier particles. The method of the invention for producing the cluster-supporting porous carrier includes providing a dispersion containing a dispersing medium (11) and porous carrier particles dispersed in the dispersing medium, forming positively charged metal oxide clusters (16) in the dispersion, and supporting the metal oxide clusters within the pores of the porous carrier particles (20) by electrostatic interaction.

A method of forming an array of aligned, uniform-length carbon nanotubes on a planar surface of a substrate employing a composite catalyst layer of iron and cobalt. The carbon nanotubes have visible length and are useful for producing spun threads of carbon nanotubes having improved spinability and mechanical and electrical properties.

A catalyst comprising particles of iridium oxide and a metal oxide (M oxide), wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of a Group 4 metal oxide, a Group 5 metal oxide, a Group 7 metal oxide and antimony oxide, wherein the catalyst is prepared by subjecting a precursor mixture to flame spray pyrolysis, wherein the precursor mixture comprises a solvent, an iridium oxide precursor and a metal oxide precursor is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use in catalysing the oxygen evolution reaction.

A process for treating metal oxide catalysts includes activating one or more lasers to produce laser light. The process also includes exposing at least a portion of the metal oxide catalyst to the laser light to increase hydrophobicity of the metal oxide catalyst. The metal oxide catalyst may include a plurality of metal oxide particles or a metal oxide film.