Photocatalytic destruction of the water soluble diesel fraction (WSF) was performed using Cu/TiO2 catalysts. Inexpensive and clean solar light and atmospheric oxygen were used as the energy source and oxidant, respectively. We investigated the effect of Cu species on the formation of a doping energy level between the conduction and valence band in TiO2. Photocatalytic reactions were investigated by monitoring the evolution of WSF as a function oftime of solar irradiation by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The photocatalytic process in the presence of 5%Cu/TiO2 catalyst, is shown to be quantitatively efficient in the destruction of the water-soluble diesel fraction. The total destruction of water-soluble compounds originating from diesel residues indicates that photocatalysis can be employed for WSF treatment.

The present work reports the photodegradation results of the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) izo dye by using titanium oxide films as photocatalysts. The films were obtained by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposit technique from a 0.0076 M of Ti(IV)-acetyl-acetonate and N, Ndimethylformamide solution over corning glasses as substrates. The film obtained by deposition at 450 °C for 6.0 min shows the best photocatalysis behavior, which may degrade 50% of 100 ppm RB5 in a period of 120 min, as monitored with a spectra-photometer UV-Vis between 190 to 900 nm. After 180 minutes of degradation, a 70% conversion could be obtained. These results are better than that obtained with TiO2 powders as photocatalyst.

Solid acid catalysts of 12-Molybdophosphoric acid (MoP) supported on hydrous zirconia have been synthesized using impregnation method. Structural transformations due to thermal effects have been studied by different techniques including X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared absorption (DRIFT), Raman spectroscopy and 31P MAS NMR. These techniques showed that the heteropolyacid present undegraded Keggin structure. The transformation of heteropoly anion of pure HPMo to MoO3 begins at a temperature lower than that for its ZrO2-supported counterpart. The activity of ZrO2-supported (MoP-Z) catalysts in the 2-propanol decomposition presents a high selectivity to the formation of DIPE and propene, this selectivity is related with acid sites determined by thermodesorption (TPD) of NH3.

A Ag-Au(1-D)-CeO2 catalyst was prepared by precipitation method using Ag-Au nanowires and Ce(NO3)3·6H2O as precursors. The catalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated in a steam reforming of methanol (SRM) reaction from 250 to 475 °C. 100 % of methanol conversion was observed at 450 °C together with high H2 selectivity. This study evidenced that the use of 1-D metallic nanostructures could be used as an active phase on a CeO2 matrix for steam reforming of methanol for H2 generation to be used as fuel.

Supported polyoxide catalysts on the base of Mo and W, as well as natural Kazakhstan's clays were tested in the process of oxidative conversion of propane and propane-butane mixture. The influence of reaction temperature, contact time, composition and percentage of the active component of catalyst were determined. The important petrochemical products - acetone (500-550°) and acetaldehyde (300-350°) were the main liquid products of reaction on natural Kazakhstan's clays and also on clays modified by Mo, Bi, Cr and Ga ions.

Metallic nanoparticles may be tailored to obtain specific size and morphology. In this work we present the synthesis of Ni/TiO2 catalysts by a photodeposition method. Our investigation included the photochemical and photocatalytic reduction of the nickel organometallic precursor (Ni (II) acetylacetonate) over titania (Degussa P-25) support. The photo-reduction kinetics was followed by UV-Vis and the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to the results, the photochemical reduction of the Ni precursor was only 30% at λ= 254 nm, whereas, the photocatalytic route was approximately 90 % (λ= 365 nm) yielding Ni nanoparticles with diameter ranging from 10 to 40 nm.