A dehydrogenation anode is reported for hydrocarbon proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A Cu-Cr(2)O(3) nanocomposite is obtained from CuCrO(2) nanoparticles as an inexpensive, efficient, carbon deposition and sintering tolerant anode catalyst. A SOFC reactor is fabricated using a Cu-Cr(2)O(3) composite as a dehydrogenation anode and a doped barium cerate as a proton conducting ele...

A novel visible light-driven photocatalyst film, MoS₂/Ag/TiO₂, was synthesized on a glass-fiber membrane. The composite catalyst film had a multi-layer structure with Ag as nanoconjunctions between the MoS₂ and TiO₂ layers. The catalyst film performed well for both photocatalytic hydrogen production and organic degradation in a two-chamber photo-reactor under either solar or visible light. Hydr...

We attempt to detect the possibility to modify the catalytic property of Pt/graphene using small organic molecule. Results of density functional theory calculations show that ssDNA segment and L-leucine modify the electron transfer at the interface, changing the electronic property and redox property of Pt/graphene catalyst system. L-leucine promotes electron transfer from Pt and increases the ...

The two-step catalyzing process for biodiesel production from waste vegetable oil was assisted by both co-solvent and microwave irradiation. Central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the reaction conditions. Optimal reaction conditions of the first step were alcohol to oil molar ratio of 9:1, catalyst (H2SO4) amount 1 wt%, reaction temperature 333 K, and reaction time 7.5 minutes;...

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to optimize the three important reaction variables-methanol/oil molar ratio (M), NaOH catalyst concentration (C) and reaction time (T) for transesterification of crude cottonseed oil under ultrasonic irradiation. A quadratic polynomial model was obtained to predict the methyl ester yield. 98 wt% of th...

Inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an autonomic healing response, structural polymers and polymer matrix composites have been recently developed that possess the ability to self-heal. Self-healing is accomplished by incorporating a microencapsulated healing agent and a catalytic chemical trigger within a polymer matrix. When the material is damaged, the microcapsules ruptur...

A novel photocatalyst based on TiO2-PANI composite supported on small pieces of cork has been reported. It was prepared by simple impregnation method of the polyaniline (PANI)-modified TiO2 on cork. The TiO2-PANI/Cork catalyst shows the unique feature of floating on the water surface. The as-synthesized catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), t...

Rechargeable metal-air batteries are considered a promising energy storage solution owing to their high theoretical energy density. The major obstacles to realising this technology include the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction and evolution on the cathode (air electrode) upon battery discharging and charging, respectively. Here, we report non-precious metal oxide catalysts based on spinel-type ...

This study delineates a simple and versatile approach for the removal of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and volatile organic vapors over composites of titanium dioxide (TiO2) catalyst/zeolite adsorbent under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at ambient temperature. The catalytic adsorbents with different TiO2/H-ZSM-5 zeolite ratios were prepared by a simple insipient wetness impregnation method. It was foun...