Catalyst properties, nanoscale

An increase in the zeolite crystallites size would very likely produce substantial changes in the physicochemical properties of the catalyst and consequently on the selectivity for hydroisomerisation. Since the effect of the zeolite crystallites size in the nanoscale range cannot be predicted theoretically, n-hexadecane hydroisomerization was carried out on PtHBEA catalysts with different zeolite crystallites sizes. 

We have overviewed some strategies for the surface-mediated fabrication of metal and alloy nanoscale wires and particles in mesoporous space, and their structural characterization and catalytic performances. Extension of the present approaches for metal/alloy nanowires may lead to the realization of the prospechve tailored design of super active, selective and stable catalysts applicable in industrial processes. The organometallic clusters and nanowires offer exciting and prospechve opportunities for the creahon of new catalysts for industry. Various metal/ alloy nanowires and nanoparhcles in the anisotropic arrangement in porous supports would help in understanding the unexpected electronic and optic properties due to the quantum effect, which are relevant to the rational design of advanced electronic and optic devices. 

HREM methods are powerful in the study of nanometre-sized metal particles dispersed on ceramic oxides or any other suitable substrate. In many catalytic processes employing supported metallic catalysts, it has been established that the catalytic properties of some structure-sensitive catalysts are enhanced with a decrease in particle size. For example, the rate of CO decomposition on Pd/mica is shown to increase five-fold when the Pd particle sizes are reduced from 5 to 2 nm. A similar size dependence has been observed for Ni/mica. It is, therefore, necessary to observe the particles at very high resolution, coupled with a small-probe high-precision micro- or nanocomposition analysis and micro- or nanodiffraction where possible. Advanced FE-(S)TEM instruments are particularly effective for composition analysis and diffraction on the nanoscale. ED patterns from particles of diameter of 1 nm or less are now possible. 

Although nanoscale materials promise to revolutionize many of our industries including electronics, health care, energy and more, the near term uses are in environmental remediation and green chemistry applications. One reason for this is that nanomaterials possess unique properties as adsorbents and catalysts, because (1) they possess high surface areas with large surface to bulk ratios so that the nanomaterial is used efficiently (2) nanocrystals have... 

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