NEW PATENTS: April 2008
Journal Archive
doi: 10.1595/147106708X295127
NEW PATENTS: April 2008
CATALYSIS – APPLIED AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Platinum-Ruthenium Catalyst for Methanol Oxidation
JPN. ADV. INST. SCI. TECHNOL. HOKURIKU Japanese Appl. 2007-190,454
A PtRu-based catalyst with increased uniformity of Pt particle size is claimed, where coagulation of Pt particles is prevented. Ru particles are dispersed on a carrier surface, followed by Pt particles with average diameter 0.5–15 nm. Standard deviation of the Pt particle diameter is 7–13. The supported particles are heat treated at < 300°C in a non-oxidising atmosphere.
CATALYSIS – INDUSTRIAL PROCESS
Hydroformylation Process with Rhodium Recovery
DOW GLOBAL TECHNOL. INC World Appl. 2007/133,379
A non-aqueous hydroformylation process with liquid catalyst recycle includes a hydroformylation step and one or more phase separation stages to recover high molecular weight aldehyde product and Rh catalyst. Hydroformylation is carried out at 250–450 psia (1724–3103 kPa). The product mix contains aldehydes, conjugated polyolefins, a Rh-organophosphorus ligand complex, free organophosphorus ligand and a polar organic solubilising agent. Phase separation stages use added H2O with CO(g), H2(g) or a mixture, and are carried out at 20–400 psia (138–2758 kPa). Sum of pressures in both steps is > 360 psia (2482 kPa).
Preparation of 3-Methylbut-1-ene
OXENO OLEFINCHEMIE GmbH World Appl. 2008/006,633
The title compound is prepared from a hydrocarbon stream containing ≥ 70 wt.% isobutene with linear butenes or olefins containing 3–5 C atoms, by hydroformylation in the presence of a Rh catalyst with organophosphorus ligands, followed by hydrogenation of the resulting aldehyde to an alcohol. Elimination of H2O gives the final product.
CATALYSIS – REACTIONS
Cross Metathesis of Cyclic Olefins
MATERIA INC World Appl. 2008/008,440
Ring-opening, ring insertion cross metathesis of cyclic olefins with internal olefins such as seed oils is carried out in the presence of a Ru alkylidene olefin metathesis catalyst. Olefinic substrates may include an unsaturated fatty acid or alcohol or an esterification product of an unsaturated fatty acid with a saturated or unsaturated alcohol. The Ru catalyst may be a Grubbs-Hoveyda complex and may contain an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand associated with the Ru centre, and is present in < 1000 ppm concentration relative to olefinic substrate.
Synthesis of 10-Hydroxycamptothecin
UNIV. FUDAN Chinese Appl. 1,054,381
The title compound is synthesised from 20(S)-camptothecin by catalytic hydrogenation using Pt/C or Rh/C, in the presence of a mitigator containing organic compound, followed by oxidation of the resulting tetrahydrocamptothecin to obtain the desired product. Yield is 70–75% and product purity is > 98.5%.
EMISSIONS CONTROL
Removing Mercury from Gas Streams
JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC World Appl. 2007/141,577
Heavy metals such as Hg can be removed from high-temperature gases such as coal-derived syngas streams, using a sulfided Pd-containing absorbent, preferably Pd4S. Pd content is > 1.5 wt.%, preferably ∼ 2 wt.%, loaded on a support, preferably γ-alumina. Hg forms a PdHg phase on contact with absorbent.
Exhaust Gas Purifying Catalyst
MAZDA MOTOR CORP European Appl. 1,859,851
A catalyst for purifying exhaust gas containing HC, CO, NOx and H2O contains a catalyst layer on a honeycomb support. A first catalyst powder contains composite oxide RhZrCeNdO and a second contains RhZrXO, where X = a rare earth element other than Ce, and Rh is present on the surface. RhZrXO forms 1–50% of the total catalyst powder.
Diesel Particulate Filter
NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD Japanese Appl. 2007-239,522
A DPF which can be partially regenerated at relatively low temperatures is claimed. A Pt catalyst is coated on the surface of a porous monolithic filter, with Pt concentration higher in the centre part to increase the probability of contact between the Pt catalyst and exhaust particulate.
FUEL CELLS
Palladium-Ruthenium Electrocatalyst
JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC World Appl. 2008/012,572
An electrocatalyst for the anode of a DMFC is made from a PdRu alloy with a single crystalline phase, and contains (in at.%): 5–95 Pd, 5–95 Ru and < 10 other metals, but not 50 Pd and 50 Ru. Preferred compositions contain (in at.%): 5–49 Pd, 51–95 Ru and < 10 other metals on a support of high surface area.
Water Management of PEMFC Stack
GM GLOBAL TECHNOL. OPER. INC Japanese Appl. 2007-194,195
A fuel cell system includes a means of humidifying the cathode inlet airflow and the H2(g) to the anode. A surface active agent such as EtOH is added to reduce surface tension and allow wicking of H2O to the flow field channels. The catalyst layers may include Ru as well as Pt to mitigate poisoning of Pt by CO formed by oxidation of EtOH on the cathode side.
Platinum Catalyst on Carbon Nanotube Support
KOREA INST. ENERGY RES. Korean Patent 0,726,237
A highly dispersed C-nanotube supported Pt catalyst for a fuel cell is prepared by growing C nanotubes on graphite paper by CVD, pretreating to remove impurities and modify surface structure, then treating with chloroplatinic acid in aqueous H2SO4 solution to deposit Pt by an electrochemical process.
METALLURGY AND MATERIALS
Palladium-Iridium Hydrogen Storage Alloy
KYUSHU UNIV. Japanese Appl. 2007-239,052
A H2 storage alloy is composed of PdIr nanoparticles which may form a core/shell structure with a core of Pd and a shell of Ir, or may be a solid solution with single crystal lattice. The alloy contains 40–90 at.% Pd and 10–60 at.% Ir. H2 storage content at 303 K and H2 pressure 0.1 MPa is ≥ 0.4 mol% and is claimed to exceed that of PdPt nanoparticles or bulk Pd.
Platinum Alloy for Jewellery
SEKI KK Japanese Appl. 2007-239,089
A Pt alloy contains ≥ 99.7 wt.% Pt with 0.002–1.0 wt.% P, S or Be, preferably 0.005–0.3 wt.%. The alloy can be hallmarked Pt 1000, and Pt content is controlled in the range 98.90–99.94 wt.%, preferably 99.70–99.94 wt.%. Good wear and deformation resistance and low susceptibility to casting defects are claimed.
APPARATUS AND TECHNIQUE
Temperature Measuring System
WEBRESULTS SRL European Appl. 1,860,414
A temperature measuring system includes a Pt resistance thermometer sensor, a managing circuit and a control circuit. The sensor incorporates at least two rheophores made from Pt or Ag (preferably 99.9999% Pt), with interconnecting wires made from the same material, sealed inside a metallic sheath with inert gas or dry air.
Electrochemical Detection of DNA
GENEOHM SCI. U.S. Appl. 2008/0,026,397
An assay for detecting a polynucleotide such as DNA includes the steps of immobilising the polynucleotide on an electrode, contacting with a Ru complex having a reduction potential which does not coincide with that of O2(g), such as Ru(III) pentaamine pyridine, and electrochemically detecting the Ru complex as an indicator of the presence of immobilised target polynucleotide. The process can be carried out in the presence of O2(g) and no deaeration step is required.
Iridium Spark Plug Alloy
TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO KK World Appl. 2008/013,159
A spark plug chip is made from Ir with (in wt.%): 0.2–6.0 Cr plus 2.0–12.0 Fe and/or Ni. The surface may be oxidised by heating at 300–900°C in an oxidising atmosphere, to give an oxide of Cr-Fe, Cr-Ni or Cr-Fe-Ni of thickness 5–100 µm.
BIOMEDICAL AND DENTAL
Anticancer Drug Combinations
BAYER PHARM. CORP World Appl. 2007/139,930
Drug combinations and pharmaceutical compositions are claimed for treating cancer such as non-small cell lung carcinoma. The compositions contain at least one substituted-diaryl urea, at least one taxane and at least one Pt complex antineoplastic nucleic acid binding agent such as carboplatin, oxaplatin or cisplatin.
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS
Rechargeable Battery with Ultracapacitor
APOGEE POWER INC European Appl. 1,876,669
A composite battery set for an electronic device includes a Li-ion, Li-polymer or Ni metal hydride battery and an ultracapacitor made from Pt, Au or preferably a metal-ceramic Ru oxide. The set may optionally include a protective circuit module. Pulse rise time provided to the electronic device is < 5 ms.
Palladium-Plated Lead Finishing Structure
SHINKO ELECTR. IND. CO LTD U.S. Appl. 2007/0,272,441
A Pd-plated lead finishing structure for a semiconductor part includes Pd or Pd alloy plated at ≤ 0.3 µm thickness onto the surfaces of external connection terminals made from Cu, Cu alloy, Fe or a Fe-Ni alloy. No intermediate or underlying layer is required. Au or Au alloy may optionally be plated onto the Pd or Pd alloy to a thickness of ≤ 0.1 µm. Short circuits between terminals due to whiskers are prevented.
Inkjet Printhead with Platinum Alloy
SAMSUNG ELECTR. CO LTD U.S. Appl. 2008/0,012,906
Thermal inkjet printheads include a heater to heat ink by direct contact, formed from Pt-Ru or Pt-Ir-X, where X = Ta, W, Cr, Al or O. Thickness of the heater is 500–3000 Å and the area of the heat generation part is ≤ 650 µm2. The Pt-Ru alloy contains 20–80% Ru; the Pt-Ir-X alloy may contain a proportion of Pt ≈ Ir, with 0–30% Ta or 0–40% O.
SURFACE COATINGS
Platinum-Coated Refractory Oxide Ceramic Part
JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC World Appl. 2007/148,104
A refractory metallic oxide ceramic part for use in molten glass processing is surface treated to provide an array of slots or closed-end holes, and may then be spray coated with a Pt group metal or alloy of thickness 200–500 µm for erosion and corrosion protection.
Dental Mirror with Ruthenium Coating
I. A. McCABE U.S. Appl. 2007/0,268,603
A dental mirror includes a glass substrate coated with a Ru film on either the front or rear surface. The coating thickness is 250–650 Å, preferably 350–550 Å. An adhesion enhancing layer may optionally be included between the glass substrate and the Ru coating, and an optical layer such as a reflection enhancing layer may be coated over the Ru.
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