High-spin states in Pt-190

The level structure of Pt-190 has been studied experimentally using the Yb-176 (O-18, 4n) reaction at beam energies of 88 and 95 MeV. gamma-gamma-t coincidence measurements were carried out. Based on the analysis of gamma-gamma coincidence relationships, the level scheme of Pt-190 is extended to high-spin states. A new structure built on the 3413.6 keV 14(+) state has been observed, and the vi(13/2)(-2) vh(9/2)(-1) vj (j = p(3/2) or f(5/2)) configuration is tentatively assigned to it.

Band properties of the transitional nucleus Pt-187

High-spin states in Pt-187 have been studied experimentally using the Yb-173(O-18, 4n) reaction at beam energies of 78 and 85 MeV. The previously known bands based on the nu i(13/2),nu 7/2(-)[503], and nu i(13/2)(2)nu j configurations have been extended to high-spin states, and new rotational bands associated with the nu 3/2(-)[512] and nu 1/2(-)[521] Nilsson orbits have been identified. The total Routhian surface calculations indicate that the transitional nucleus Pt-187 is very soft with respect to beta and gamma deformations. The band properties, such as level spacings, band crossing frequencies, alignment gains, and signature splittings, have been compared with the systematics observed in neighboring nuclei and have been interpreted within the framework of the cranked shell model. The rotational bands show different band crossing frequencies, which can be explained by the alignment either of i(13/2) neutrons or of h(9/2) protons. Importantly, evidence is presented for a pi h(9/2) alignment at very low frequency in the nu 7/2(-)[503] band. The proton nature of the band crossing is strongly suggested by comparing the measured B(M1;I -> I-1)/B(E2;I -> I-2) ratios with the theoretical values from the semiclassical Donau and Frauendof approach.

Quasiparticle nature of rotational bands in Pt-187

The high-spin states in Pt-187 have been studied experimentally by means of in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques via the Yb-173(O-18, 4n) fusion-evaporation reaction. The high-spin level scheme of Pt-187 has been established, including three rotational bands. Based on the systematics of level structure in neighboring nuclei and by comparing the experimental and theoretical B(M1)/B(E2) ratios, configurations of 11/2+ [615], 7/2(-)[5031 and 1/2(-)[521] have been proposed for the three rotational bands, respectively. Band properties of band crossing frequency, alignment gain and signature splitting have been discussed.

Band properties of the transitional nucleus Pt-189

High-spin states in Pt-189 have been studied with the in-beam gamma-spectroscopy method via the Yb-176(O-18, 5n) reaction at beam energies of 88 MeV and 95 MeV. A new level scheme of Pt-189 has been established. Rotational bands based on the upsilon i(13/2)(-1), upsilon f(5/2)(p(3/2)) and upsilon i(13/2)(-2)upsilon f(p(3/2)) configurations, as well as several structures with irregular level spacings, have been observed. Properties of rotational bands have been analyzed in the framework of triaxial particle-rotor model. A gamma similar to -30 degrees triaxial shape and a near prolate shape have been proposed to the upsilon i(13/2)(-1) and uf(5/2)(p(3/2)) bands, respectively. Two Delta I=2 transition sequences with similar energies have been observed, and they have been proposed to be associated with the upsilon i(13/2)(-1)upsilon f(5/2)(p(3/2)) configuration. According to the relevant Nilsson orbitals, the bands built on the upsilon i(13/2)(-1)upsilon f(5/2)(p(3/2)) configuration could be interpreted as a pair of pseudo-spin partner.

Performance comparison of low-temperature direct alcohol fuel cells with different anode catalysts

Low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells directly fed by methanol and ethanol were investigated employing carbon supported Pt, PtSn and PtRu as anode catalysts, respectively. Employing Pt/C as anode catalyst, both direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) showed poor performances even in presence of high Pt loading on anode. It was found that the addition of Ru or Sn to the Pt dramatically enhances the electro-oxidation of both methanol and ethanol. It was also found that the single cell adopting PtRu/C as anode shows better DMFC performance, while PtSn/C catalyst shows better DEFC performance. The single fuel cell using PtSn/C as anode catalyst at 90degreesC shows similar power densities whenever fueled by methanol or ethanol. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and single fuel cell tests indicated that PtRu is more suitable for DMFC while PtSn is more suitable for DEFC. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Light alkenes preparation by the gas phase oxidative cracking or catalytic oxidative cracking of high hydrocarbons

The preparation of light alkenes by the gas phase oxidative cracking (GOC) or catalytic oxidative cracking (COC) of model high hydrocarbons ( hexane, cyclohexane, isooctane and decane in the GOC process and hexane in the COC process) was investigated in this paper. The selection for the feed in the GOC process was flexible. Excellent conversion of hydrocarbons ( over 85%) and high yield of light alkenes ( about 50%) were obtained in the GOC of various hydrocarbons including cyclohexane at 750 degreesC. In the GOC process, the utilization ratio of the carbon resources was high; CO dominated the produced COX (the selectivity to CO2 was always below 1%); and the total selectivity to light alkenes and CO was near or over 70%. In the COC of hexane over three typical catalysts (HZSM-5, 10% La2O3/HZSM-5 and 0.25% Li/MgO), the selectivity to COX was hard to decrease and the conversion of hexane and yield of light alkenes could not compete with those in the GOC process. With the addition of H-2 in the feed, the selectivity to COX was reduced below 5% over 0.1% Pt/HZSM-5 or 0.1% Pt/MgAl2O4 catalyst. The latter catalyst was superior to the former catalyst due to its perfect performance at high temperature, and with the latter, excellent selectivity to light alkenes ( 70%) and the conversion of hexane (92%) were achieved at 850 degreesC ( a yield of light alkenes of 64%, correspondingly).

Coking kinetics on the catalyst during alkylation of fcc off-gas with benzene to ethylbenzene

The production of ethylbenzene from the alkylation of dilute ethylene in fee off-gases with benzene has been commercialized in China over a newly developed catalyst composed of ZSM-5/ZSM-11 co-crystallized zeolite. The duration of an operation cycle of the commercial catalyst could be as long as 180 days. The conversion of ethylene could attain higher than 95%, while the amount of coke deposited on the catalyst was only about 10 wt.%. Thermogravimetry (TG) was used to study the coking behavior of the catalyst during the alkylation of fee off-gas with benzene to ethylbenzene. Based on effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, reactants and products on coking during the alkylation process, it is found that the coking rate during the alkylation procedure follows the order: ethylbenzene > ethylene > propylene > benzene for single component, and benzene-ethylene > benzene-propylene for bi-components under the same reaction condition. Furthermore, the coking kinetic equations for benzene-ethylene, benzene-propylene and ethylbenzene were established. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Direct reduction of SO2 to elemental sulfur by the coupling of cold plasma and catalyst (I)

The direct reduction of SO2 to elemental sulfur in flue gas by the coupling of cold plasma and catalyst, being a new approach for SO2 reduction, was studied. In this process, CO2 can be disassembled to form CO, which acts as the reductant under the cold plasma. With the coupling of the cold plasma and the catalyst, sulfur dioxide was selectively reduced by CO to elemental sulfur with a byproduct of metal sulfate, e.g., FeSO4. In the present work, Fe2O3/gamma-Al2O3 was employed as the catalyst. The extent of desulfurization was more than 80%, and the selectivity of elemental sulfur is about 55%. The effects of water vapor, temperature, and the components of simulated flue gas were investigated. At the same time, the coupling of thermogravimetry and infrared method and a chemical analysis method were employed to evaluate the used catalyst. In this paper, we will focus on the discussion of the catalyst. The discussions of the detail of plasma will be introduced in another paper.

NOx storage-reduction over Pt/Mg-Al-O catalysts with different Mg/Al atomic ratios

A series of Pt/Mg-Al-O catalysts with different Mg/Al atomic ratios were prepared. The NOx storage capacities of these catalysts were measured by isothermal storage at 350 degreesC. It was found that the NOx storage capacity increased with increasing Mg/Al atomic ratios. The catalytic behaviors of Pt/Mg-Al-O and Pt/MgO were studied with storage-reduction cycles at 400 degreesC. Under oxidizing conditions, NOx concentration in the outlet gas gradually increased with time, which indicated the catalysts could store NOx effectively. After a switch from oxidizing conditions to reducing conditions, NOx desorption peak emerged immediately due to the incomplete reduction of stored NOx, which lowered the total NOx conversion. With increasing Mg/Al atomic ratio in the catalysts, NOx conversion increases. Pt/MgO has the highest NOx conversion because of its best activity in the reduction of NOx by C3H6. It seems that with an increasing amount of MgO in the catalysts, the self-poisoning of Pt-sites by adsorbed species during the reaction of NOx with C3H6 may be inhibited effectively.

Pd/sulfated alumina - a new effective catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with CH4

Sulfated alumina (SA) is firstly found to be an effective support for Pd catalyst used in the SCR of NO with methane. The sulfation is important to increase support's acidity which is essential for the reduction of NO over Pd catalysts. On consideration of the lower cost and easier availability of SA, we believe that SA is more promising to act as the commercial support for Pd catalyst used in the SCR of NO with methane.

The reaction route and active site of catalytic decomposition of hydrazine over molybdenum nitride catalyst

The catalytic properties of the passivated, reduced passivated, and fresh bulk molybdenum nitride for hydrazine decomposition were evaluated in a microreactor. The reaction route of hydrazine decomposition over molybdenum nitride catalysts seems to be the same as that of Ir/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts. Below 673 K, the hydrazine decomposes into N-2 and NH3. Above 673 K, the hydrazine decomposes into N-2 and NH3 first, and then the produced NH3 further dissociates into N-2 and H-2. From the in situ FT-IR spectroscopy, hydrazine is adsorbed and decomposes mainly on the Mo site of the Mo2N/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparation and characterization of PtSn/C anode electrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cell

Highly active PtSn/C catalyst was prepared by a polyol method. The catalyst was reduced in H-2/Ar atmosphere at 600 degreesC for 2 h in order to obtain different metallic phase. TEM images show uniform dispersion of spherical metal nanoparticles with average diameters of 1.8 and 3.9 nm for the as-prepared and treated catalysts, respectively. UV-vis spectrophotometry is employed to monitor the preparation process and the results indicate that Pt-Sn complex formed once the precursors of Pt and Sn were mixed together. The structure properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction. The results show that after reduction, the catalyst tends to form PtSn alloy. TPR experiment results show that Sn exists in multivalent state in the as-prepared sample while only zero-valence Sn was detected in the treated sample, while it could not be excluded that the multivalent tin existed in the treated sample. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique and single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) tests indicate that the as-prepared catalyst possesses superior catalytic activity for ethanol oxidation to the treated sample. The results suggest that Pt and multivalent Sn are the active species for ethanol oxidation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.