The invention relates to a photocatalyst that is active under irradiation with UV light, visible light and sunlight, comprising a powder or a ready-to-use nanometric suspension of nitrogen-doped TiO.sub.2, wherein the brookite crystalline phase is also present and whose doping nitrogen content (% by weight) is sufficient to ensure photocatalytic activity in the visible region. The photocatalyst can be easily applied to substrates of varying nature.

The invention relates to a photocatalyst that is active under irradiation with UV light, visible light and sunlight, comprising a powder or a ready-to-use nanometric suspension of nitrogen-doped TiO.sub.2, wherein the brookite crystalline phase is also present and whose doping nitrogen content (% by weight) is sufficient to ensure photocatalytic activity in the visible region. The photocatalyst can be easily applied to substrates of varying nature.

Highly heat-resistant anatase-type titanium oxide particles stably retard an anatase-type crystal phase having excellent reactivity in a temperature range of 700° C., and have fine particles and a uniform particle size distribution. The highly heat-resistant anatase-type titanium oxide includes titanium oxide particles having a content of an anatase crystal phase in the total crystal phases of 85% or more and a modification layer provided on the surfaces of the titanium oxide particles. The modification layer is obtained by modifying an organic acid having a molecular weight of 200 or less with an acidic solution containing 1.5×10.sup.−4 mol/L or more and 0.12 mol/L or less. The pH of the acidic solution is 0.2 to 5.

An efficient green method for the synthesis of noble metal/transition metal oxide nanocomposite comprising reducing noble metal salt and a templating metal oxide is disclosed. The method is a one-step method comprises mixing coffee seed husk extract, a noble metal precursor, and a transition metal precursor; and filtering and drying the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite prepared by the method of the invention displays all the characteristics and biocidal activity of a composite prepared by traditional methods.

An efficient green method for the synthesis of noble metal/transition metal oxide nanocomposite comprising reducing noble metal salt and a templating metal oxide is disclosed. The method is a one-step method comprises mixing coffee seed husk extract, a noble metal precursor, and a transition metal precursor; and filtering and drying the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite prepared by the method of the invention displays all the characteristics and biocidal activity of a composite prepared by traditional methods.

A hydrogenation catalyst with a small amount of supported metal that is excellent in stability and inhibition of side reactions is provided. The catalyst hydrogenates an aromatic hydrocarbon compound into an alicyclic hydrocarbon compound, and a Group X metal represented by nickel is supported in a composite support including at least alumina and titania. The composite support preferably includes at least an alumina substrate coated with titania. It is also preferable that the Group X metal is prereduced by hydrogen. In the case that the Group X metal is nickel, the nickel content is preferably 5-35 wt % as nickel oxide in the catalyst. The substrate includes, for example, a porous structure formed by a plurality of needle-shaped or column-shaped intertwined three-dimensionally.

A method is disclosed in which a gas of hydrogen and nitrogen, or hydrogen and ammonia, or hydrogen, nitrogen, and ammonia, is introduced to a fluidized bed. The gas flows through the fluidized bed, and titanium dioxide particles are introduced to the fluidized bed to form a fluid mixture of the particles and gas in the fluidized bed. The particles are reacted with the gas in the fluid mixture to form particles including titanium dioxide and nitrogen. The particles can be disposed along an air flow path in operative communication with a light source for air treatment.

A rotary kiln includes a stationary fuel nozzle and a perforated flame holder positioned within an inclined rotating shell. The flame holder includes a plurality of perforations that collectively confine a combustion reaction of the burner to the flame holder to shift most heat transfer from the combustion reaction from radiation heat transfer to convective heat transfer.

A rotary kiln includes a stationary fuel nozzle and a perforated flame holder positioned within an inclined rotating shell. The flame holder includes a plurality of perforations that collectively confine a combustion reaction of the burner to the flame holder to shift most heat transfer from the combustion reaction from radiation heat transfer to convective heat transfer.

Methods of determining and controlling the deformability of ceramic materials, as a nonlimiting example, YSZ, particularly through the application of a flash sintering process, and to ceramic materials produced by such methods. Such a method includes providing a nanocrystalline powder of a ceramic material, making a compact of the powder, and subjecting the compact to flash sintering by applying an electric field and thermal energy to the compact.