Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over alumina supported cobalt catalyst: Effect of crystal phase and pore structure of alumina support

Dopant-driven tuning of toluene oxidation and sulfur resistance at the B-site of LaCo1−xMxO3 (M = Fe, Cr, Cu) perovskites

The optimization effect of Fe dopant on toluene oxidation and sulfur resistance is better than that of Cr and Cu dopants.

Nano-oxides washcoat for enhanced catalytic oxidation activity toward the perovskite-based monolithic catalyst

In order to explore a superior washcoat material to give full play to the catalytic activity of perovskite active components on the monolithic catalysts, three novel types of LaCoO₃/washcoat/cordierite monolith catalysts were prepared by a facile two-step procedure which employed the cordierite honeycomb ceramic as the monolith substrate, the nano-oxides (ZrO₂, ɤ-Al₂O₃, TiO₂) as the washcoat, and the perovskite of LaCoO₃ as the active components. The blank cordierite, powdered LaCoO₃, semi-manufactured monolithic catalysts (washcoat/cordierite), and manufactured monolithic catalysts (LaCoO₃/washcoat/cordierite) were characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, N₂ adsorption-desorption, H₂-TPR, and ultrasonic test, and their catalytic activities and catalytic stability were evaluated by the toluene oxidation test. The research results indicate that the nanoparticles coated on the cordierite substrate as the washcoat can give full play to the catalytic ability of the LaCoO₃ active components and also showed high catalytic stability. However, the catalytic properties of the monolithic catalysts vary notably with the species of nano-washcoat. Among all the catalysts, the porous honeycomb surface structure, uniform distribution, high ratio of surface adsorbed oxygen, and strong reducing ability together give the LaCoO₃/ZrO₂/cordierite monolithic catalyst the highest catalytic activity on the oxidation of toluene at low temperature, which could be attributed to the excellent interactions of perovskite and nano-ZrO₂ washcoat. Therefore, the nano-oxides, especially the nano-ZrO₂, have a broad practical application potential for toluene oxidation at low temperature as the washcoat of perovskite-based monolithic catalysts.

Mechanism of turnover or persistence of radiation-induced myofibroblast in vitro

We recently made an important discovery that radiation induces myofibroblasts, which play a role in radiation-related carcinogenesis via tumor microenvironment formation. Here, we investigated the threshold dose and the mechanisms of myofibroblast induction to assess adverse radiation effects on normal cells. Single-dose of healthy human fibroblasts in vitro promotes myofibroblast induction at high doses (≥ 5 Gy). In contrast, repeated low dose of fractionated radiation is at least equivalent to high-dose single radiation regarding myofibroblast induction. ROS play a pivotal role in the process of myofibroblast induction in normal tissue injury. Antioxidants, such as epicatechin and ascorbic acid can prevent myofibroblast induction by scavenging ROS. We further investigated the role of DNA damage responses (DDR) on myofibroblast induction. Blocking the DDR using DNA-PK or AKT inhibitors enhanced cellular sensitivity to radiation and facilitated myofibroblast induction, whereas an ATM inhibitor also enhanced radiation sensitivity but abrogated ROS accumulation and myofibroblast induction. In contrast to standard culture conditions, myofibroblasts remained after low or moderate doses of radiation (below 2.5 Gy) under growth-restricted conditions. In conclusion, the recovery of damaged cells from radiation is essential for myofibroblast clearance, which restores stromal cell dormancy and prevents tumor microenvironment formation. However, residual ROS, by way of sustaining myofibroblast presence, can facilitate tumor microenvironment formation. Targeting ROS using antioxidants is effective in the mitigation of radiation-related adverse effects, such as growth retardation and myofibroblast induction, and helps protect normal tissues.

The effect of the nanofibrous Al2O3 aspect ratio on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over cobalt catalysts

A series of nanofibrous alumina materials with diameters of 4-6 nm and with different aspect ratios ranging from 3 to 16 were prepared. Cobalt impregnated catalysts were prepared by means of incipient wetness impregnation on alumina nanofibers while the 'rearranged' catalysts were prepared by using ultrasonication assistance to mix the fibers with the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. The effects of the alumina nanofiber aspect ratios on the Co catalyst structure and performance for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis were studied. The pore size of the two series of catalysts increased as the aspect ratio of the alumina nanofiber increased. For impregnated catalysts, large Co₃O₄ particles were formed on the external surface of the alumina support when the aspect ratio was 3 and 5, while the crystallite sizes of Co₃O₄ increased from 13.3 nm to 15.6 nm with the increase of the aspect ratio from 7 to 16. The four 'rearranged' catalysts possessed similar and homogeneously dispersed Co₃O₄ crystallites of 9.5 nm. As expected the reduction behavior of the two series of catalysts was primarily influenced by the Co₃O₄ crystallite size and structure. The FT data of the two series of catalysts indicate that dispersed Co catalysts on alumina nanofibers with large aspect ratios having large inter-crystallite pores significantly improve the catalyst activity and C₅₊ selectivity. The FT data of the 'rearranged' catalysts strongly demonstrated that the internal mass transfer of reactants and products increased with a decrease in inter-crystallite pore size, resulting in a decrease of C₅₊ selectivity and C₃ olefin/paraffin ratio, and an increase of CH₄ selectively, while the CO consumption rate was little altered. Furthermore, catalytic stability tests showed that the alumina nanofibers with larger aspect ratios inhibited Co migration and coalescence in the matrices of the nanofibrous alumina, and this significantly enhanced the stability of the catalyst. The Co_p/Al₂O₃-16 catalyst possessing uniformly distributed cobalt, improved reducibility and large pores is the preferred choice to generate high catalytic activity, stability and C₅₊ selectivity.

Efficient aqueous hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone over a highly active and stable ruthenium catalyst

Efficient aqueous hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone over a highly active and stable immobilized ruthenium catalyst with a GVL yield of 99.1 mol% at 25 °C.