Johnson Matthey Technology Review - Volume 61, Issue 1, 2017

As part of a process loop to make acrylic acid from propane, catalysts for two reactions have been investigated. Mo/Bi based mixed metal oxides for selective oxidation of propylene in a propane feed have been prepared by a sol-gel method which increased activity over the standard catalyst. Modifications of the molecular formula led to an increase in selectivity towards acrolein whilst maintaining the improved conversion. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the sol-gel method helped incorporate the various mixed metal oxides and prevented segregation during reaction conditions. A Pd-loaded 4A zeolite membrane catalyst was developed on the surface of 1 mm beads γ-Al2O3 support. The membrane was employed in the selective oxidation of CO in a propane-rich mixture. The zeolite coating was developed by using a new modification of the hydrothermal synthesis (dilution method). Catalytic test results confirmed that the selective oxidation of CO in the presence of propane is possible by using a 4A zeolite membrane coated on a Pd based catalyst. Temperature and time during zeolite preparation are key parameters in the stability and reproducibility of the zeolite membrane. The seeding method improves the growth of the zeolite on the catalyst surface and does not affect the stability and reproducibility of catalyst. By using this catalyst it is possible to get a temperature window for the selective oxidation of CO (65°C).

The successful use in rocket engines of iridium as a barrier coating is an important area of high-temperature application. The Ir coating must be continuous and dense in order to protect the underlying material from corrosion and oxidation. The microstructure and morphology of the coating can be effectively controlled by varying the deposition conditions. The microstructure has an important influence on the physical and mechanical properties of the coating. A number of deposition processes, which have different conditions and requirements, have been employed to produce Ir coatings on various substrate materials. Part I of this paper presents the introduction and reviews the different deposition processes, while Part II will deal with texture and structure evolution, mechanical properties, growth mechanisms and applications of Ir coatings. The mechanisms of micropore formation after high-temperature treatment will also be investigated in some detail.

A literature based study on the health impacts of three platinum anticancer drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin) was undertaken. The published evidence for health benefits is presented and assessed. A model was developed to quantify the health gain of adding platinum based drugs to cancer treatment at the population level for the UK and the USA. The economic value of using platinum drugs (in terms of quality-adjusted life year (QALY)) in addition to other cancer treatments can be estimated at over £556 million for the UK and over US$4.8 billion for the USA, depending on the scenario chosen.

It was some 50 years ago that Barnett Rosenberg and coworkers published their studies on unusual patterns of bacterial growth that led to the identification of platinum compounds as highly effective agents against some cancers, particularly those of genitourinary origin. This sparked a renewed interest around the world in the potential of metal compounds as small molecule therapeutic agents. Some of that history, particularly related to the platinum group metals (pgm) platinum and ruthenium, is described in this overview.

Shape memory alloys are remarkable materials that open up a wide range of uses. Nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium, is one of the most important of these materials. Some of its major applications are in medical devices where its unique properties allow minimally invasive surgery and implants to improve quality of life for millions of people. With the growing global population and increasing numbers of people able to access quality healthcare, the availability of advanced materials such as Nitinol is essential to allow continued progress in improving lives across the world. This article will review the discovery, material properties, processing methods and medical applications of Nitinol, with a special focus on stents for the treatment of arterial diseases, which constitute one of Nitinol’s major uses.