Regeneration of a vanadium pentoxide supported activated coke catalyst-sorbent used in simultaneous sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide removal from flue gas: Effect of ammonia

A vanadium pentoxide supported activated coke (V₂O₅/AC) catalyst-sorbent has been reported to be very active for simultaneous removal of SO₂ and NO under dry conditions at temperatures of 200 °C and below. Regeneration of the SO₂-captured catalyst-sorbent is a key step in operation of such a process, which influences the catalyst-sorbent's SO₂ and NO removal activities, lifetime, as well as recovery of sulfur. Due to limited information in this regard, this paper studies thermal regeneration of a V₂O₅/AC catalyst-sorbent with emphases on the effect of atmosphere. The optimum regeneration temperature is found to be 380 °C in an Ar stream and 300 °C in a 5% NH₃/Ar stream. Compared to the fresh V₂O₅/AC, the V₂O₅/ACs regenerated in Ar show lower SO₂ adsorption capacities and higher NO removal activities, while the regenerated V₂O₅/ACs by 5% NH₃/Ar show higher and stable SO₂ adsorption capacities and higher NO removal activities. Two types of reactions occur during the regeneration: reduction of the adsorbed sulfur species by carbon to SO₂ and CO₂, and oxidation of carbon by oxygen in the V₂O₅/AC to CO₂. The carbon consumption of the latter is much more than that of the former in an Ar atmosphere, but fully suppressed by the presence of 5% NH₃. Detailed analysis and characterization of the V₂O₅/AC subjected to the regenerations are presented.     

Regenerable CaO sorbents for SO2 retention: carbonaceous versus inorganic dispersants

In this study, the behaviour of different activated carbons and some inorganic solids (alumina, silica, titania, magnesia and silicon carbide) as dispersants for Ca(OH)₂-derived CaO under two cycles of SO₂ retention at 300 °C, is analysed. Before performing the second SO₂ adsorption, a regeneration treatment in N₂ at 880 °C is carried out. During the first retention of SO₂, no influence of the dispersant was appreciated, being CaO the only phase responsible of SO₂ capture. However, during the second SO₂ adsorption the nature of the dispersants is important. Thus, comparing the behaviour of the inorganic solids with that exhibited by the activated carbons, it is observed that the activity loss, after the regeneration treatment, was significantly reduced when the activated carbons were used, especially at high dispersant content. The most effective dispersants were found to be those with meso and macroporosity which prevent the CaO (particle size of about 5 nm) sinterisation–agglomeration. This feature was exhibited by the activated carbons chosen.     

Adsorption of SO2 using vanadium and vanadium–copper supported on activated carbon

Activated carbon impregnated with precursor salts of Ba, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and V and their binary mixtures was used for adsorption of SO₂ at 20 °C. The most promising materials for SO₂ removal are carbons doped with V, Cu and mainly their binary mixtures, which show a synergetic effect. Kinetic curves and isotherms of SO₂ adsorption were obtained at 20 °C. These isotherms are reasonably well fitted by the Langmuir model and the respective parameters were determined. TPD experiments show that adsorption of SO₂ increases the oxygenated groups on the carbon surface. The sample doped with V, after SO₂ adsorption at 20 °C, presents an increase of basic oxygenated groups, which may be responsible for the observed extra adsorption of SO₂.     

Effective Au-Au-Clx/Fe(OH)y catalysts containing Cl for selective CO oxidations at lower temperatures

Supported Au catalysts Au-Au⁺-Cl_x/Fe(OH)_y (x < 4, y ≤ 3) and Au-Cl_x/Fe₂O₃ prepared with co-precipitation without any washing to remove Cl⁻ and without calcining or calcined at 400 °C were studied. It was found that the presence of Cl⁻ had little impact on the activity over the unwashed and uncalcined catalysts; however, the activity for CO oxidation would be greatly reduced only after Au-Au⁺-Cl_x/Fe(OH)_y was further calcined at elevated temperatures, such as 400 °C. XPS investigation showed that Au in catalyst without calcining was composed of Au and Au⁺, while after calcined at 400 °C it reduced to Au⁰ completely. It also showed that catalysts precipitated at 70 °C could form more Au⁺ species than that precipitated at room temperatures. Results of XRD and TEM characterizations indicated that without calcining not only the Au nano-particles but also the supports were highly dispersed, while calcined at 400 °C, the Au nano-particles aggregated and the supports changed to lump sinter. Results of UV–vis observation showed that the Fe(NO₃)₃ and HAuCl₄ hydrolyzed partially to form Fe(OH)₃ and [AuCl_x(OH)_4−x]⁻ (x = 1–3), respectively, at 70 °C, and such pre-partially hydrolyzed iron and gold species and the possible interaction between them during the hydrolysis may be favorable for the formation of more active precursor and to avoid the formation of Au–Cl bonds. Results of computer simulation showed that the reaction molecular of CO or O₂ were more easily adsorbed on Au⁺ and Au⁰, but was very difficultly absorbed on Au⁻. It also indicated that when Cl⁻ was adsorbed on Au⁰, the Au atom would mostly take a negative electric charge, which would restrain the adsorption of the reaction molecular severely and restrain the subsequent reactions while when Cl⁻ was adsorbed on Au⁺ there only a little of the Au atom take negative electric charge, which resulting a little impact on the activity.     

CO2 absorption and regeneration of alkali metal-based solid sorbents

Potassium-based sorbents were prepared by impregnation with potassium carbonate on supports such as activated carbon (AC), TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂ and various zeolites. The CO₂ capture capacity and regeneration property were measured in the presence of H₂O in a fixed-bed reactor, during multiple cycles at various temperature conditions (CO₂ capture at 60 °C and regeneration at 130–400 °C). Sorbents such as K₂CO₃/AC, K₂CO₃/TiO₂, K₂CO₃/MgO, and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃, which showed excellent CO₂ capture capacity, could be completely regenerated above 130, 130, 350, and 400 °C, respectively. The decrease in the CO₂ capture capacity of K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO, after regeneration at temperatures of less than 200 °C, could be explained through the formation of KAl(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, K₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and K₂Mg(CO₃)₂·4(H₂O), which did not completely converted to the original K₂CO₃ phase. In the case of K₂CO₃/AC and K₂CO₃/TiO₂, a KHCO₃ crystal structure was formed during CO₂ absorption, unlike K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO. This phase could be easily converted into the original phase during regeneration, even at a low temperature (130 °C). Therefore, the formation of the KHCO₃ crystal structure after CO₂ absorption is an important factor for regeneration, even at the low temperature. The nature of support plays an important role for CO₂ absorption and regeneration capacities. In particular, the K₂CO₃/TiO₂ sorbent showed excellent characteristics in CO₂ absorption and regeneration in that it satisfies the requirements of a large amount of CO₂ absorption (mg CO₂/g sorbent) and fast and complete regeneration at a low temperature condition (1 atm, 150 °C).     

Catalytic reduction of SO2 over supported transition-metal oxide catalysts with C2H4 as a reducing agent

This work investigates performances of supported transition-metal oxide catalysts for the catalytic reduction of SO₂ with C₂H₄ as a reducing agent. Experimental results indicate that the active species, the support, the feed ratio of C₂H₄/SO₂, and pretreatment are all important factors affecting catalyst activity. Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ was found to be the most active catalyst among six γ-Al₂O₃-supported metal oxide catalysts tested. With Fe₂O₃ as the active species, of the supports tested, CeO₂ is the most suitable one. Using this Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ catalyst, we found that the optimal Fe content is 10 wt.%, the optimal feed ratio of C₂H₄/SO₂ is 1:1, and the catalyst presulfidized by H₂+H₂S exhibits a higher performance than those pretreated with H₂ or He. Although the feed concentrations of C₂H₄:SO₂ being 3000:3000 ppm provide a higher conversion of SO₂, the sulfur yield decreases drastically at temperatures above 300 °C. With higher feed concentrations, maximum yield appears at higher temperatures. The C₂H₄ temperature-programmed desorption (C₂H₄-TPD) and SO₂-TPD desorption patterns illustrate that Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ can adsorb and desorb C₂H₄ and SO₂ more easily than can Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃. Moreover, the SO₂-TPD patterns further show that Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ is more seriously inhibited by SO₂. These findings may properly explain why Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ has a higher activity for the reduction of SO₂.     

Environmentally friendly solid acid catalyst prepared by modifying TiO2 with cerium sulfate for the removal of volatile organic chemicals

An environmentally friendly solid acid catalyst, Ce(SO₄)₂/TiO₂ was prepared simply by modifying TiO₂ with Ce(SO₄)₂ for acid catalysis of volatile organic chemicals, 2-propanol and cumene. The characterization of prepared catalysts was performed using FTIR, XRD and DSC. The surface area of 7-Ce(SO₄)₂/TiO₂ calcined at 300 °C was very high (206.0 m²/g) compared to that of unmodified TiO₂ (115.2 m²/g) due to the interaction between Ce(SO₄)₂ and TiO₂. 7-Ce(SO₄)₂/TiO₂ containing 7 wt% Ce(SO₄)₂ and calcined at 300 °C exhibited maximum catalytic activities for both reactions, 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation. The catalytic activities for both reactions were correlated with the acid amounts of catalysts measured by an ammonia chemisorption method. The role of Ce results in an increase in the thermal stability of the surface sulfate species and consequently the acid amount of Ce(SO₄)₂/TiO₂ is increased. The asymmetric stretching frequency of the SO bonds for Ce(SO₄)₂/TiO₂ catalysts was related to the acidic properties and to the catalytic activity for acid catalysis to remove volatile organic chemicals, 2-propanol and cumene.     

Opposite activation conditions of acid and metal functions of Pt/SO4-ZrO2 catalysts

The influence of the thermal treatments of Pt/SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ catalysts on the activity for the metal-catalyzed reaction of cyclohexane dehydrogenation and the acid-catalyzed reaction of n-butane isomerization, were studied in this work. A mutual antagonism between the conditions for optimal activity of the acid and metal functions was found and was seemingly related to the crystallization of the support. In order to be able to isomerize n-butane, SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ had first to be calcined in air at T^calc>400 °C. The onset of activity and strong acid properties coincided with the appearance of the tetragonal crystal phase. SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ supported Pt, prepared from chloroplatinic acid, was tried to be converted to the metal state (Pt⁰) in order to have full catalytic capacity. When Pt/SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ was first calcined in air at T^calc>400 °C, Pt remained in a seemingly oxidized state, with no de/hydrogenation properties even after reduction in H₂ at 300 °C. Under certain conditions, Pt metal properties were improved: (i) calcining Pt/SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ in air at T^calc<400 °C; (ii) calcining Zr(OH)₄ at T^calc>400 °C before sulfating the support; and (iii) calcining Pt/SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ in N₂ instead of air. In these cases, though Pt dehydrogenation activity increased, the activity of the acid function decreased (iii) or was practically null ((i) and (ii)). The support was amorphous in case (i) and mainly monoclinic in case (ii). Sulfate loss and conversion into the monoclinic phase occurred in case (iii). As compared to sulfate-free Pt/ZrO₂, sulfur poisoning always decreased the metal activity of sulfated catalysts but the decrease was higher for mainly tetragonal sulfate-doped catalysts. The final conclusion is that the optimum activation conditions for the metal and acid functions in Pt/SO₄²⁻-Zr(OH)₄ are mutually excluding. The deleterious effect of SO₄²⁻-ZrO₂ (SZ) on Pt metal activity is closely related to the growth and/or the presence of the tetragonal phase and cannot be prevented if a high activity of the acid function is demanded by the reacting system.     

Screening of amorphous metal–phosphate catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene

The gas-phase oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene was carried out by using as catalyst a series of metal phosphates (Al, Fe, Ni, Ca and Mn) and stoichiometric (Al/Fe = Al/Ca = 1) mixed systems: FeAl(PO₄)₂ and Ca₃Al₃(PO₄)₅, that were prepared by an ammonia gelation method. Their amorphous character was determined through several physical methods: nitrogen adsorption, DRIFT and XRD patterns. These results were compared to those obtained with 24 commercial inorganic solids (several metal oxides, sulfates and phosphates). Reactions were also carried out without oxygen, under non-oxidative conditions, where the catalytic activity was always appreciably lower than under oxidative conditions. Experimental results indicated that the oxidative gas-phase dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene could be related to the total number of acid and basic sites of catalysts, so that this reaction probably needs selected acid–basic pairs for coke formation, where the oxidative dehydrogenation process is developed.

The main practical conclusion of the catalyst screening was that the best results were obtained with the synthesized amorphous AlPO₄, where 43% ethylbenzene conversion and 99.7% styrene selectivity were achieved. A very reduced number of commercial inorganic solids like Al₂(SO₄)₃, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, Fe₂(SO₄)₃, NiSO₄, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ were also able to obtain an acceptable catalytic behavior, with conversions ranging between 18 and 23% and selectivity in the 95–100% range. Among the other synthesized solids, Ni₃(PO₄)₂-A-450 was the only metal phosphate exhibiting results in such a range. All the other catalysts studied were rather inactive and/or selective. Additional experiments carried out at longer times on stream (3.5 h) and longer contact times (W/F 0.254 and 0.654) confirmed the superior catalytic behavior of amorphous AlPO₄. Consequently, this solid could be a good candidate for application as a catalyst in the industrial oxydehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene.     

Decomposition of CCl2F2 over metal sulfate catalysts

Activity for hydrolysis of CCl₂F₂ (CFC12) on various metal sulfate was investigated. Zr(SO₄)₂ was found to be the most active while FeSO₄, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, Al₂(SO₄)₃, La₂(SO₄)₃ and Ce₂(SO₄)₃ had intermediate activity. MnSO₄, CoSO₄, and MgSO₄ showed low activity and SrSO₄, CaSO₄, and BaSO₄ had even less activity. The major carbon containing product was CO₂ and small amount of CClF₃ and CO were formed over several sulfates. The crystal structure of the sulfates was stable during decomposition of CCl₂F₂, and the conversion reached a steady state after initial decrease at 275 °C over Zr(SO₄)₂ catalyst. The concentration of surface hydroxyl was larger than that over AlPO₄-based catalysts and a reaction mechanism similar to that over AlPO₄-based catalysts was proposed.     

Effects of iron precursors on the structure and catalytic performance of iron molybdate prepared by mechanochemical route for methanol to formaldehyde

Mechanochemical synthesis has been applied for many novel material preparations and gained more and more attention due to green and high-efficiency recently. In order to explore the influences of iron precursors on structure and performance of iron molybdate catalyst prepared by mechanochemical route, three typical and cheap iron precursors have been used in preparation of iron molybdate catalyst. Many characterization methods have been employed to obtain the physical and chemical properties of iron molybdate catalyst. Results indicate that iron precursors have the significant impact on the phase composition, crystal morphology and catalytic performance in the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde. It is hard to regulate the phase composition by changing Mo/Fe mole ratios for Fe_2(SO_4)_3 as iron precursor. In addition, as for Fe_2(SO_4)_3, the formaldehyde yield is lower than that from iron molybdate catalyst prepared with Fe(NO_3)_3·9H_2O due to the reduction in Fe_2(MoO_4)_3 phase as active phase. Based on mechanochemical and coprecipitation method, the solvent water could be a key factor for the formation of MoO_3 and Fe_2(MoO_4) for FeCl_3·6H_2O and Fe_2(SO_4)_3 as precursors. Iron molybdate catalyst prepared with Fe(NO_3)_3·9H_2O by mechanochemical route, shows the best methanol conversion and formaldehyde yield in this reaction.     

An investigation of the thermal stability and sulphur tolerance of Ag/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for the SCR of NOx with hydrocarbons and hydrogen

The sulphur tolerance and thermal stability of a 2 wt% Ag/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was investigated for the H₂-promoted SCR of NO_x with octane and toluene. The aged catalyst was characterised by XRD and EXAFS analysis. It was found that the effect of ageing was a function of the gas mix and temperature of ageing. At high temperatures (800 °C) the catalyst deactivated regardless of the reaction mix. EXAFS analysis showed that this was associated with the Ag particles on the surface of the catalyst becoming more ordered. At 600 and 700 °C, the deactivating effect of ageing was much less pronounced for the catalyst in the H₂-promoted octane-SCR reaction and ageing at 600 °C resulted in an enhancement in activity for the reaction in the absence of H₂. For the toluene + H₂-SCR reaction the catalyst deactivated at each ageing temperature. The effect of addition of low levels of sulphur (1 ppm SO₂) to the feed was very much dependent on the reaction temperature. There was little deactivation of the catalyst at low temperatures (≤235 °C), severe deactivation at intermediate temperatures (305 and 400 °C) and activation of the catalyst at high temperatures (>500 °C). The results can be explained by the activity of the catalyst for the oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃ and the relative stability of silver and aluminium sulphates. The catalyst could be almost fully regenerated by a combination of heating and the presence of hydrogen in the regeneration mix. The catalyst could not be regenerated in the absence of hydrogen.     

SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION OF NITRIC OXIDE BY AMMONIA ON PILLARED CLAY CATALYSTS: POSSIBLE MECHANISM AND PROMOTERS

The delaminated Fe₂0₃-pillared clay shows high activities for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by NH₂. Temperature program desorption (TPD) studies show that large amounts of NO., are adsorbed on the pillared clay catalyst at the SCR reaction temperatures (i.e. near 400°C). This result indicates that a Langmuir-Hinshelwood type mechanism (for reaction between chemisorbed NO, and NH, on the surface to form N₂) is operative for the pillared clay catalyst, which is in contrast to the SCR reaction on the commercial vanadia-based catalysts. The SCR activities for the delaminated Fe₂0₃-pillared clay catalyst are higher than that of a commercial-type V₂O₅ + WO₃/TiO₂ catalyst under SO₂ + H₂0 free conditions, but became lower in the presence of SO₂ +l H₂0. However, when promoted by doping 1-3% Cr₂0₃, the pillared clay catalyst exhibits higher SCR activities than the commercial-type catalyst in the presence of S0₂ + H₂O at all practical SCR reaction temperatures     

Activity and stability of Ag–alumina for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with methane in high-content SO2 gas streams

In this work, we investigated the activity and stability of Ag–alumina catalysts for the SCR of NO with methane in gas streams with a high concentration of SO₂, typical of coal-fired power plant flue gases. Ag–alumina catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation–gelation, and dilute nitric-acid solutions were used to remove weakly bound silver species from the surface of the as prepared catalysts after calcination. SO₂ has a severe inhibitory effect, essentially quenching the CH₄-SCR reaction on this type catalysts at temperatures <600 °C. SO₂ adsorbs strongly on the surface forming aluminum and silver sulfates that are not active for CH₄-SCR of NO_x. Above 600 °C, however, the reaction takes place without catalyst deactivation even in the presence of 1000 ppm SO₂. The reaction light-off coincides with the onset of silver sulfate decomposition, indicating the critical role of silver in the reaction mechanism. SO₂ is reversibly adsorbed on silver above 600 °C. While alumina sites remain sulfated, this does not hinder the reaction. Sulfation of alumina only decreases the extent of adsoption of NO_x, but adsorption of NO_x is not the limiting step. Methane activation is the limiting step, hence the presence of sulfur-free Ag–O–Al species is a requirement for the reaction. Strong adsorption of SO₂ on Ag–alumina decreases the rates of the reaction, and increases the activation energies of both the reduction of NO to N₂ and the oxidation of CH₄, the latter more than the former. Our results indicate partial contribution of gas phase reactions to the formation of N₂ above 600 °C. H₂O does not inhibit the reaction at 625 °C, and the effect of co-addition of H₂O and SO₂ is totally reversible.     

蛋白土与硫酸铵煅烧反应产物及过程动力学

蛋白土具有良好的应用前景,但是其自然白度较低制约了其开发应用。蛋白土硫酸铵煅烧法可去除其中的显色金属氧化物,提高蛋白土的白度,同时提取其中Al₂O₃。本文采用热重-差示扫描量热（TG-DSC）、同步热分析与红外质谱（TG-FTIR-MS）联用系统,结合X射线衍射对煅烧过程的固相及气相产物进行了表征分析,明析了其化学过程。结果表明,蛋白土中的Al₂O₃和Fe₂O₃在200~350℃时反应生成（NH₄）₃（Al,Fe）（SO₄）₃,同时逸出NH₃和H₂O;350~450℃时,进一步反应转化为NH₄（Al,Fe）（SO₄）₂,同时逸出NH₃、H₂O、SO₂和O₂;450~550℃时,NH₄（Al,Fe）（SO₄）₂分解生成（Al,Fe）₂（SO₄）₃,同时逸出NH₃、H₂O、SO₂和O₂;550~750℃时（Al,Fe）₂（SO₄）₃分解生成Al₂O₃和Fe₂O₃,同时逸出SO₂和O₂。采用Kissinger微分法与Ozawa积分法分别计算出4个阶段表观活化能后取二者平均值,分别为101.74kJ/mol、104.52kJ/mol、201.40kJ/mol、232.51kJ/mol,并获得对应4个热化学反应阶段的频率因子、反应级数和动力学方程。     

Combined effect of H2O and SO2 on V2O5/AC catalysts for NO reduction with ammonia at lower temperatures

Combined effect of H₂O and SO₂ on V₂O₅/AC the activity of catalyst for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃ at lower temperatures was studied. In the absence of SO₂, H₂O inhibits the catalytic activity, which may be attributed to competitive adsorption of H₂O and reactants (NO and/or NH₃). Although SO₂ promotes the SCR activity of the V₂O₅/AC catalyst in the absence of H₂O, it speeds the deactivation of the catalyst in the presence of H₂O. The dual effect of SO₂ is attributed to the SO₄²⁻ formed on the catalyst surface, which stays as ammonium-sulfate salts on the catalyst surface. In the absence of H₂O, a small amount of ammonium-sulfate salts deposits on the surface of the catalyst, which promote the SCR activity; in the presence of H₂O, however, the deposition rate of ammonium-sulfate salts is much greater, which results in blocking of the catalyst pores and deactivates the catalyst. Decreasing V₂O₅ loading decreases the deactivation rate of the catalyst. The catalyst can be used stably at a space velocity of 9000 h⁻¹ and temperature of 250 °C.     

Activation of monolithic catalysts based on diatomaceous earth for sulfur dioxide oxidation

The formation of the active phases during the activation process of monolithic catalysts based on V₂O₅–K₂SO₄ supported on diatomaceous earth for SO₂ to SO₃ oxidation in flue gases, has been shown to be a crucial factor to achieve satisfactory catalytic performance. As the temperature is increased from room temperature to 470°C, SO₂ and SO₃ are taken up by the green catalyst and the precursors are transformed into the active species. The role of each component of the catalyst during the activation was analyzed by studying the behavior towards SO₂ adsorption of four materials, which contained: diatomaceous earth, diatomaceous earth + V, diatomaceous earth + K, and diatomaceous earth + V + K. The influence of the potassium sulfate accessibility in the green catalyst was studied by using two different preparation methods, which gave rise to differences in the catalysts SO₂ adsorption properties and catalytic performance. Furthermore, the influence of the activation atmosphere was studied using nitrogen, oxygen or a flue gas composition. It was shown that pyrosulfate species should be formed at temperatures below 400°C, to keep the vanadium in the active 5+ oxidation state.     

The role of vacancies in the hydrogen storage properties of Prussian blue analogues

The porosity and hydrogen storage properties of the dehydrated Prussian blue type solids Ga[Co(CN)₆], Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃, M₂[Fe(CN)₆] (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu), and Co₃[Co(CN)₅]₂ are reported and compared to those of M₃[Co(CN)₆]₂ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Nitrogen sorption measurements suggest partial framework collapse for M₂[Fe(CN)₆] (M = Co, Ni) and Co₃[Co(CN)₅]₂, and complete collapse for Mn₂[Fe(CN)₆]. Hydrogen sorption isotherms measured at 77 K reveal a correlation between uptake capacity and the concentration of framework vacancies, with Langmuir–Freundlich fits predicting saturation values of 1.4 wt.% for Ga[Co(CN)₆], 1.6 wt.% for Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃, 2.1 wt.% for Cu₃[Co(CN)₆]₂, and 2.3 wt.% for Cu₂[Fe(CN)₆]. Enthalpies of H₂ adsorption were calculated from isotherms measured at 77 and 87 K. Importantly, the values obtained for compounds with framework vacancies are not significantly greater than for the fully-occupied framework of Ga[Co(CN)₆] (6.3–6.9 kJ/mol). This suggests that the exposed metal coordination sites in these materials do not dominate the hydrogen binding interaction.     

Preparation of new solid superacid catalyst, zirconium sulfate supported on γ-alumina and activity for acid catalysis

Zirconium sulfate supported on γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation of powdered γ-Al₂O₃ with zirconium sulfate aqueous solution followed by calcining in air at high temperature. For Zr(SO₄)₂/γ-Al₂O₃ samples, no diffraction line of zirconium sulfate was observed up to 50 wt.%, indicating good dispersion of Zr(SO₄)₂ on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃. The acidity of catalysts increased in proportion to the zirconium sulfate content up to 40 wt.% of Zr(SO₄)₂. 40-Zr(SO₄)₂/γ-Al₂O₃ calcined at 400 °C exhibited maximum catalytic activities for 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation. The catalytic activities for both reactions, 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation were correlated with the acidity of catalysts measured by ammonia chemisorption method.     

Piezoelectric properties of Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 ceramics with sintering aid of 2CaO–Fe2O3 compound

Since the electromechanical devices move towards enhanced power density, high mechanical quality factor (Q_m) and electromechanical coupling factor (k_p) are commonly needed for the high powered piezoelectric transformer with Q_m≥2000 and k_p=0.60. Although Pb(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–PbZrO₃–PbTiO₃ (PMnN–PZ–PT) ceramic system has potential for piezoelectric transformer application, further improvements of Q_m and k_p are needed. Addition of 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ has been proved to have many beneficial effects on Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ ceramics. Therefore, 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ is used as additive in order to improve the piezoelectric properties in this study. The piezoelectric properties, density and microstructures of 0.07Pb(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.468PbZrO₃–0.462PbTiO₃ (PMnN–PZ–PT) piezoelectric ceramics with 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ additive sintered at 1100 and 1250 °C have been studied. When sintering temperature is 1250 °C, Q_m has the maximum 2150 with 0.3 wt.% 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ addition. The k_p more than 0.6 is observed for samples sintered at 1100 °C. The addition of 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ can significantly enhance the densification of PMnN–PZ–PT ceramics when the sintering temperature is 1250 °C. The grain growth occurred with the amount of 2CaO–Fe₂O₃ at both sintering temperatures.