Showing papers by "Jens Enevold Thaulov Andersen published in 2010"

Selective side-chain oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds catalyzed by cerium modified silver catalysts

Abstract: Silver supported on silica effectively catalyzes the aerobic side-chain oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds under solvent-free conditions. Toluene, p-xylene, ethylbenzene and cumene were investigated as model substrates. Typically, the reaction was performed at ambient pressure; only for toluene an elevated pressure was required. Carboxylic acids, such as benzoic acid or p-toluic acid, additionally increased the reaction rate while CeO2 could act both as a promoter and an inhibitor depending on the substrate and the reaction conditions. Silver catalysts were prepared both by standard impregnation and flame spray pyrolysis. Addition of a Ce precursor to the FSP catalyst resulted in significantly smaller silver particles. Ce-doped FSP catalysts in general exhibited a superior catalytic performance with TONs up to 2000 except for cumene oxidation that appeared to proceed mainly by homogeneous catalysis. In addition, flame-made catalysts were more stable against silver leaching compared to the impregnated catalysts. The structure of the silver catalysts was studied in detail both by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy suggesting metallic silver to be required for catalytic activity. Catalytic studies point to a radical mechanism which differs depending on the type of substrate.

Novel response function resolves by image deconvolution more details of surface nanomorphology

Abstract: A novel method of image processing is presented which relies on deconvolution of data using the response function of the apparatus. It is revealed that all the surface structures observed by digital imaging are generated by a convolution of the response function of the apparatus with the surfaces' nanomorphology, which provided images of convoluted physical structures rather than images of real physical structures. In order to restore the genuine physical information on surface structures, a deconvolution using a novel response function of the feedback circuitry is required. At the highest resolution, that is, atomic resolution, the effect of deconvolution is at its maximum, whereas images at lower resolution are sharpened by eliminating smoothing effects and shadow effects. The method is applied to measurements of imaging by in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy (in situ STM) at atomic resolution and to imaging by in situ STM of electrocrystallization of copper on gold in electrolytes containing copper sulfate and sulfuric acid. It is suggested that the observed peaks of the recorded image do not represent atoms, but the atomic structure may be recovered by image deconvolution followed by calibration of distances, correction for drift phenomena and rotation in the plane of the surface. The technology may subsequently reveal more details of molecular adsorbents. The impact of in situ STM at atomic and lower resolution on imaging is discussed in the paper.