Research points to more effective catalyst materials for petrochemical industryMay 12, 2006Nickel oxide is a very important chemical in modern industrial processes. It is commonly used as a catalyst within the petrochemical industry in areas like the synthesis of olefin gas and the reforming reaction of methane. The performance of the catalyst is closely related to particle properties of synthesised nickel oxide. Particle sizes, shapes and porosities are largely determined by various synthesis techniques but it is suggested that precursor material may also strongly influence these properties. Catalytic materials are most effective when synthesised as spherical particles and among the numerous methods suggested for synthesizing spherical particles, the sol-gel method is currently the most promising. The Sol-Gel method was used by Thai researchers Chatchawan Sookman and Paisan Kongkachuiychay from Kasetsart University different nickel precursors and bases yielded NiO particles with differing particle sizes. In all, six different systems were studied. NiO particles from Ni(NO3)2 were the largest followed by NiO from NiCl2 and NiSO4 respectively. In addition, use of NaOH yielded slightly larger NiO particles compared to when KOH was used as a precursor. Furthermore, the NiO crystal size was found to increase with an increase in the calcination temperature and concentration of nickel salts. The researchers found Ni(NO3)2 and NaOH were the most appropriate reactants for synthesis of nickel oxide due to the properties of the precursors. AZoNetwork |
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| Related Petrochemical Current Events and Petrochemical News Articles Rice U. lab leads hunt for new zeolites In all the world, there are about 200 types of zeolite, a compound of silicon, aluminum and oxygen that gives civilization such things as laundry detergent, kitty litter and gasoline. But thanks to computations by Rice University professor Michael Deem and his colleagues, it appears there are -- or could be -- more types of zeolites than once thought. Simulation suggests rocky exoplanet has bizarre atmosphere So accustomed are we to the sunshine, rain, fog and snow of our home planet that we find it next to impossible to imagine a different atmosphere and other forms of precipitation. 'Green' energy from algae In view of the shortage of petrochemical resources and climate change, development of CO2-neutral sustainable fuels is one of the most urgent challenges of our times. University of Minnesota researchers discover breakthrough method for chemical separations A team of researchers, led by chemical engineering and materials science professor Michael Tsapatsis in the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, have developed a more energy-efficient method of chemical separations that could revolutionize processes in the petrochemical and biofuels industries. Hydrocarbons in the deep Earth? The oil and gas that fuels our homes and cars started out as living organisms that died, were compressed, and heated under heavy layers of sediments in the Earth's crust. Scientists have debated for years whether some of these hydrocarbons could also have been created deeper in the Earth and formed without organic matter. GEN reports on alternative feedstocks for ethanol production Scientists say they are forging ahead in developing replacements for petrochemical fuels that will be cost-competitive and renewable while having a minimal impact on the environment, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN). Extreme makeover chemistry style In revisiting a chemical reaction that's been in the literature for several decades and adding a new wrinkle of their own, researchers with Berkeley Lab and the University of California (UC) Berkeley have discovered a mild and relatively inexpensive procedure for removing oxygen from biomass. The microbial hydrocarbon diet Bioremediation of industrial sites and petrochemical spillages often involves finding microbes that can gorge themselves on the toxic chemicals. This leaves behind a non-toxic residue or mineralized material. Microbes in mud flats clean up oil spill chemicals Micro-organisms occurring naturally in coastal mudflats have an essential role to play in cleaning up pollution by breaking down petrochemical residues. Argonne scientists discover new platinum catalysts for the dehydrogenation of propane The process to turn propane into industrially necessary propylene has been expensive and environmentally unfriendly. That was until scientists at U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory devised a greener way to take this important step in chemical catalysis. More Petrochemical Current Events and Petrochemical News Articles |
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