Andrzej Kowalczyk

Montmorillonite intercalated with SiO2, SiO2-Al2O3 or SiO2-TiO2 pillars by surfactant-directed method as catalytic supports for DeNOx process

The intercalation of natural montmorillonite with SiO2, SiO2-Al2O3 or SiO2-TiO2 pillars by the surfactant-directed method resulted in the formation of high surface area porous materials; these were tested as catalytic supports for the process of selective catalytic reduction of NO (DeNOx). The incorporation of titanium or aluminium into the structure of the silica pillars significantly increased the surface acidity of the clay samples. Iron and copper were deposited onto the surface of the pillared clays mainly in the form of monomeric isolated cations and oligomeric metal oxide species. The contribution of the latter species was higher in the clay intercalated with SiO2-TiO2 pillars than in the samples modified with SiO2 and SiO2-Al2O3 pillars. The pillared clay-based catalysts were active in the DeNOx process but, in this group, the best results were obtained for the clay intercalated with SiO2-TiO2 pillars and doped with iron and copper. The catalytic performance of the samples is discussed in respect of their surface acidity and active forms of transition metal species deposited.

Enhancement of Electrochemical Performance of LiMn2O4 Spinel Cathode Material by Synergetic Substitution with Ni and S

Nickel and sulfur doped lithium manganese spinels with a nominal composition of LiMn2−xNixO4–ySy (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 and y = 0.01) were synthesized by a xerogel-type sol-gel method followed by subsequent calcinations at 300 and 650 °C in air. The samples were investigated in terms of physicochemical properties using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (EDS-TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption measurements (N2-BET), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electrical conductivity studies (EC). Electrochemical characteristics of Li/Li+/LiMn2−xNixO4–ySy cells were examined by galvanostatic charge/discharge tests (CELL TEST), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The XRD showed that for samples calcined at 650 °C containing 0.1 and 0.2 mole of Ni single phase materials of Fd-3m group symmetry and nanoparticles size of around 50 nm were obtained. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping confirmed homogenous distribution of nickel and sulfur in the obtained spinel materials. Moreover, it was revealed that the adverse phase transition at around room temperature typical for the stoichiometric spinel was successfully suppressed by Ni and S substitution. Electrochemical results indicated that slight substitution of nickel (x = 0.1) and sulfur (y = 0.01) in the LiMn2O4 enhances the electrochemical performance along with the rate capability and capacity retention.

Characterization of Co and Fe-MCM-56 catalysts for NH 3 -SCR and N 2 O decomposition: An in situ FTIR study

Two-step preparation of iron and cobalt-containing MCM-56 zeolites has been undertaken to evaluate the influence of their physicochemical properties in the selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR or DeNOx) of NO using NH3 as a reductant. Zeolites were prepared by the selective leaching of the framework cations by concentrated HNO3 solution and NH4F/HF mixture and consecutively, introduction of Co and Fe heteroatoms, in quantities below 1wt%. Further calcination allowed to obtain highly dispersed active species. Their evaluation and speciation was realized by adsorption of pyridine and NO, followed by FTIR spectroscopy. Both Fe-MCM-56 zeolites showed excellent activities (maximum NO conversion 92%) with high selectivity to dinitrogen (above 99%) in the high temperature NH3-SCR process. High catalytic activity of Fe-MCM-56 zeolites was assigned to the formation of stable nitrates, delivering NO to react with NH3 at higher temperatures and suppressing the direct NO oxidation. It was found that more nitrates was formed in Fe-MCM-56 (HNO3) than in Fe-MCM-56 (HF/NH4F) and that could compensate for the lower Fe loading, resulting in very similar catalytic activity of both catalysts. At the same time both Co-and Fe-MCM-56 zeolites were moderately active in direct N2O decomposition, with maximum N2O conversion not higher than 80% and activity window starting at 500°C. This phenomenon was expected since both types of catalysts contained well dispersed active centers, not beneficial for this reaction.

ADSORBENTS FOR IRON REMOVAL OBTAINED FROM VERMICULITE

In presented work, raw, expanded and acid treated vermiculites were used as low-cost and active adsorbents for reducing of environmental pollution with heavy metals. Acid treatment was performed at elevated temperature (95°C) for 2 and 24 h in solution of HNO3. Adsorption capacity towards Fe 3+ was studied in column, semi-batch and batch mode. It was shown that all samples are effective in removal of heavy metals; however adsorption mechanism is based not only on ion exchange of interlayer cations but also precipitation/deposition processes. Starting material and modified samples as well as spent adsorbents were characterized with respect to the vermiculite structure using X-ray diffraction method.

Titanium dioxide doped with vanadium as effective catalyst for selective oxidation of diphenyl sulfide to diphenyl sulfonate

Diphenyl sulfide was oxidized to sulfoxide and sulfone over V-doped TiO2 using a 30% solution of H2O2. The TiO2 samples with different intended content of vanadium (0.02, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.18 mass%) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. Physicochemical properties of the V-doped TiO2 were characterized by chemical analysis (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD/in situ HT-XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry (UV–Vis DRS), N2-sorption measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance and cyclic voltammetry. Both vanadium oxide loading and calcination temperature influenced the structure of the V-TiO2 samples. Vanadium species deposited on TiO2 decreased temperatures required for anatase to rutile phase transformation. The V-TiO2 samples were found to be efficient catalysts for oxidation of sulfides to sulfones. The sample with the lowest vanadium content (0.02VTiO2) presented among the studied catalysts the best catalytic properties with respect to high conversion of diphenyl sulfide to diphenyl sulfonate. An increase in vanadium loading resulted in decrease in catalytic activity of the samples. Also non-modified TiO2 presented significantly lower catalytic activity in comparison with 0.02VTiO2. This interesting effect was related to the formation of highly dispersed vanadium species catalytically active in Ph2S oxidation in the case of the samples with lower V-content. An increase in vanadium loading results in the formation of more aggregated V-species inactive, or less active, in the process of diphenyl sulfide oxidation.

Incorporation of Ti as a Pyramidal Framework Site in the Mono‐Layered MCM‐56 Zeolite and its Oxidation Activity

MWW zeolite MCM‐56 with Al atoms on the surface was functionalized with Ti to produce pyramidal TiOH groups. This was carried out by removal of Al with nitric acid, calcination and treatment with titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) (Ti(acac)2 (i‐propoxide)2, Ti(acac)2OiPr2). Up to 0.7 % Ti was introduced. Using UV‐Vis spectroscopy three types of Ti moieties were identified in the uncalcined materials – tetrahedral in the framework, 5/6‐coordinated Ti on the surface, presumably in the vacated pyramidal sites, and oxide‐like clusters. The presence of TiOH on the surface was indicated by in situ measurement of UV‐Vis spectra during calcination. It showed the band at 290 nm, which disappeared at 500 °C, perhaps due to condensation with silanols. Catalytic oxidation tests were carried out with three samples containing 0.13, 0.36, and 0.70 % Ti and methyl phenyl sulfide and cis‐cyclooctene as model reactants. The study confirmed potential of the TiOH moieties in oxidation catalysis although their final form is not certain. Future studies will include increasing Ti content to enhance catalytic activity and better detection of this type of the Ti site.