New catalysts for coal processing: Metal carbides and nitrides. First quarterly report

Our project deals with the investigation of a new class of catalysts for processing coal liquids. The catalysts are supported carbides and nitrides of transition metals. These compounds are unique because they have properties similar to those of the precious metals, but are resistant to sulfur. Because they have high hydrogenation activity in the presence of sulfur, they are ideal for coal processing. For our initial work we have decided to start with unsupported carbides and nitrides in order to identify the best possible composition for work with supported catalysts. The research includes synthesis, characterization, and testing of the compounds