The synthesis of nanostructured W2C on ultrahigh surface area carbon materials via carbothermal hydrogen reduction

Nanostructured tungsten carbides were synthesized, for the first time, with a size distribution of 5-12 nm on ultrahigh surface area carbon material, by carbothermal hydrogen reduction (CHR) at 850degreesC and metal Ni promoted CHR at 650 degreesC.

Catalytic partial oxidation of n-heptane for hydrogen production

Partial oxidation of n-heptane (POH) for hydrogen generation was studied over several catalysts between 700 and 850degreesC. Modified Ni-based/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst exhibited not only good catalytic activity but also good carbon deposition resistance ability. Under the modified reaction conditions, 100% n-heptane conversion and 93% hydrogen selectivity can be obtained.

The enhancement of TiO2 photocatalytic activity by hydrogen thermal treatment

In this study, conventional TiO2 powder was heated in hydrogen (H-2) gas at a high temperature as pretreatment. The photoactivity of the treated TiO2 samples was evaluated in the photodegradation of sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) in aqueous suspension. The experimental results demonstrated that the photodegradation rates of SSA were significantly enhanced by using the H-2-treated TiO2 catalysts and an optimum temperature for the H-2 treatment was found to be of 500-600 degreesC. The in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal intensity of oxygen vacancies (OV) and trivalent titanium (Ti3+) associated with the photocatalytic activity was studied. The results proved the presence of OV and Ti3+ in the lattice of the H2-treated TiO2 and indicated that both were contributed to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the experimental results presented that the EPR signal intensity of OV and Ti3+ in the H-2-treated TiO2 samples after 10 months storage was still significant higher than that in the untreated TiO2 catalyst. The experiment also demonstrated that the significant enhancement occurred in the photodegradation of phenol using the H-2-treated TiO2. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The experimental research for production of hydrogen from n-octane through partially oxidizing and steam reforming method

The reaction of producing hydrogen for fuel cell which used normal octane as gasoline or diesel oil reactant through catalytic partial oxidizing and steam reforming method has been researched in the fixed-bed reactor. A series of catalysts that mainly used nickel supported on Al2O3 have been studied. It showed that the activity of the catalyst was increased with the content of nickel by using only nickel supported on Al2O3. However, its activity was not obviously increased when the content of nickel was over 5 wt%. The conversion ratio of normal octane and hydrogen selectivity were higher at higher reaction temperature. The single noble catalyst of palladium had better stability compared with that of platinum catalyst although their activity and selectivity were similar during the experimental reaction temperature. The prepared bimetallic catalyst consisted mainly of nickel and little noble metal of palladium supported on Al2O3. It showed that this catalyst had higher activity and selectivity, especially at lower or higher reaction temperatures compared with single nickel or palladium catalyst, and better stability. ((C) 2001 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure and electrochemical characteristics of melted composite Ti0.10Zr0.15V0.35Cr0.10Ni0.30-LaNi5 hydrogen storage alloys

The structure and electrochemical characteristics of melted composite Ti0.10Zr0.15V0.35Cr0.10Ni0.30+x% LaNi5 (x=0, 1, 5 and 10) hydrogen storage alloys have been investigated systematically. XRD shows that the matrix phase structure of V-based solid solution phase with a BCC structure and C14 Laves phase with hexagonal structure is not changed after adding LaNi5 alloy. However, the amount of the secondary phase increases with increasing LaNi5 content. Field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) shows that the C14 Laves phase contains more Zr and the white lard phase has a composition close to (Zr, Ti)(V, Cr, Ni, La)(2).

Structures and electrochemical characteristics of Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33Mox (x=0-0.1) hydrogen storage alloys

Microstructures and electrochemical properties of Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.21Mn0.1Ni0.33Mox (x=0,0.025,0.05,0.075, 0.10) electrode alloys have been investigated. The results of XRD analysis show that the alloys are mainly composed of V-based solid solution phase with body centered cubic (bcc) structure and C14 Laves phase with hexagonal structure. The addition of Mo element can imp ove the activation characteristics, maximum discharge capacity and cyclic durability for the electrode alloys

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on horseradish peroxidase-Au nanoparticles at viologen grafted glassy carbon electrode

A novel hydrogen peroxide biosensor was fabricated that is based on horseradish peroxidase-Au nanoparticles immobilized on a viologen-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by amino cation radical oxidation in basic solution. The immobilized BAPV acts as a mediator and a covalent linker between GCE and the Au nanoparticles. The biosensor exhibited fast response, good reproducibility, and long-term stability.

Utilizing a CdTe quantum dots-enzyme hybrid system for the determination of both phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide

In this paper, we attempt to construct a simple and sensitive detection method for both phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide, with the successful combination of the unique property of quantum dots and the specificity of enzymatic reactions. In the presence Of H2O2 and horseradish peroxidase, phenolic compounds can quench quantum dots' photoluminescence efficiently, and the extent of quenching is severalfold to more than 100-fold increase. Quinone intermediates produced from the enzymatic catalyzed oxidation of phenolic compounds were believed to play the main role in the photoluminescence quenching.

Electrospun palladium nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofibers and their electrocatalytic activities towards hydrogen peroxide and NADH

Palladium nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofibers (Pd/CNFs) were synthesized by the combination of electrospinning and thermal treatment processes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that spherical Pd nanoparticles (NPs) are well-dispersed on the surfaces of CNFs or embedded in CNFs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicates that cubic phase of Pd was formed during the reduction and carbonization processes, and the presence of Pd NPs promoted the graphitization of CNFs. This nanocomposite material exhibited high electric conductivity and accelerated the electron transfer, as verified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Fabrication of fibril like aggregates by self-assembly of block copolymer mixtures via interpolymer hydrogen bonding

This paper describes the formation of fibril like aggregates from the self-assembly of block copolymer mixture (polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA)) via interpolymer hydrogen bonding in nonselective solvent. The hydrogen bonding between P4VP and PAA in chloroform leads to the formation of complex. When all the pyridine units in P4VP were all hydrogen bonded to acrylic acid in PAA, the formed complex is insoluble, resulting in the formation of spherical micellar aggregates and nanorods.

Determination of concentrated hydrogen peroxide at single-walled carbon nanohorn paste electrode

Single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) paste electrode was used for amperometric determination of concentrated hydrogen peroxide, and was compared with other carbon electrodes. The calibration plots are linear from 0.5 to 100 mM at activated SWCNH paste electrode and edge plane graphite (EPG) electrode. In contrast, the calibration plots are linear only at concentrations lower than 45 mM at graphite paste electrode, multi-walled carbon nanotube paste electrode, and glassy carbon electrode.

High-quality hydrogen from the catalyzed decomposition of formic acid by Pd-Au/C and Pd-Ag/C

Pd-Au/C and Pd-Ag/C were found to have a unique characteristic of evolving high-quality hydrogen dramatically and steadily from the catalyzed decomposition of liquid formic acid at convenient temperature, and further this was improved by the addition of CeO2(H2O)(x).

Hydrogen Vanadate as an Effective Stabilizer of Pd Nanocatalysts for Formic Acid Electroxidation

In this paper, a simple chemical reduction route is discussed that results in small size, uniform dispersion of Pd nanoparticles supported on carbon black. HVO42-, the tridentate oxoanion with its O-O distance of 2.76 angstrom, closely matching with the Pd-Pd distance (2.75 angstrom), is expected to be an effective stabilizer for Pd according to the lattice size-matching binding model (Finke, R. G.; Ozkar, S. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2004, 248, 135). Because it has never been tested, HVO42- is exploited and found to be a very simple and effective stabilizer.

C-60 trianion-mediated electrocatalysis and amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide

Heterogeneous electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by C-60 is reported for the first time. C-60 is embedded in tetra octyl ammonium bromide (TOAB) film and is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Electrocatalytic studies show that the trianion of C-60 mediates the electrocatalytic reduction of H2O2 in aqueous solution containing 0.1 M KCl. Application of such film modified electrode as an amperometric sensor for H2O2 determination is also examined.