ABSTRACT
The physical-chemical properties of some nanostructured perovskite-like catalysts of general formula La(1-x)M(x)MnO(3+δ) (M = Ce, Sr) have been investigated, in particular by using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. We show that the interplay between the -O-Mn(3+)-O-Mn(4+)-O- electron double-exchange and the electron mobility is strictly dependent on the dopant nature and the annealing conditions in air. A relationship between the observed properties of these samples and their activity in the methane flameless catalytic combustion is proposed.
ABSTRACT
We present here a X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigation on the local chemical order and electronic structure of Cs and Ba, promoters of the Ru/C catalysts for ammonia synthesis that attracted interest because of highly increased productivity. The role of the promoters is still largely unclear, although indirect evidence for Cs partial reduction has been obtained by this and other groups. Our XAS analysis with in situ H(2) reduction directly supports the partial Cs reduction in the promoted Ru/C catalysts, depending on the presence of Ru and on the graphitization degree of the support. Higher coordination of Ba was observed with respect to Cs in the reduced samples, without evidence of heavy atoms (Ru, Cs, and Ba) in the surroundings. Because of the strong electropositive nature of Cs, direct experimental evidence of its partial reduction is of outstanding significance also for other applications.
ABSTRACT
A two-compartment Plexiglas cell has been set up and tested for separate hydrogen and oxygen production from photocatalytic water splitting on a thin TiO2 layer deposited by magnetron sputtering on a flat Ti electrode inserted between the two cell compartments.
