Search

Propane dehydrogenation reaction (PDH) is an extremely attractive way to produce propylene; however, the catalysts often lead to byproduct formation and suffer from deactivation. This research focuses on the development of efficient Pt/Sn-based shaped catalysts by utilizing Mg-modified mesoporous silica, sepiolite (natural SiMgO x mesoporous clay), and sepiolite/bentonite/alumina as supports with the aim of achieving superior stability and selectivity for industrial propylene production by PDH. The catalysts were prepared by sequential impregnation of the supports with the corresponding solutions of tin chloride and platinum chloride, by obtaining a nominal loading of 0.7 wt % of Sn and 0.5 wt % of Pt. A range of analytical techniques were used to characterize the catalysts, including X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption isotherms, Hg intrusion porosimetry, thermogravimetric analyses, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The basicity of the catalysts was assessed using carbon dioxide temperature-programmed desorption (CO 2 -TPD). The results confirm that the support material plays a critical role in catalyst performance; in particular, the presence of weak basic sites, due to magnesium addition, improved selectivity to propylene and reduced coke formation. Catalytic pellets of Sn-Pt supported on macroporous sepiolite or sepiolite and bentonite-modified mesoporous alumina performed comparably with propane conversion very close to thermodynamic equilibrium and selectivity to propylene above 95%. The latter support led to improved stability and was regenerated at milder temperatures, making it suitable for industrial applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Background and Objectives: Since white adipose tissue (WAT) lacks parasympathetic cholinergic innervation, the source of the acetylcholine (ACh) acting on white adipocyte cholinergic receptors is unknown. This study was designed to identify ACh-producing cells in mouse and human visceral WAT and to determine whether a non-neuronal cholinergic system becomes activated in obese inflamed WAT., Methods: Mouse epididymal WAT (eWAT) and human omental fat were studied in normal and obese subjects. The expression of the key molecules involved in cholinergic signaling was evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blotting whereas their tissue distribution and cellular localization were investigated by immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy and in situ hybridization. ACh levels were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The cellular effects of ACh were assessed in cultured human multipotent adipose-derived stem cell (hMADS) adipocytes., Results: In mouse eWAT, diet-induced obesity modulated the expression of key cholinergic molecular components and, especially, raised the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the ACh-synthesizing enzyme, which was chiefly detected in interstitial macrophages, in macrophages forming crown-like structures (CLSs), and in multinucleated giant cells (MGCs). The stromal vascular fraction of obese mouse eWAT contained significantly higher ACh and choline levels than that of control mice. ChAT was undetectable in omental fat from healthy subjects, whereas it was expressed in a number of interstitial macrophages, CLSs, and MGCs from some obese individuals. In hMADS adipocytes stressed with tumor necrosis factor α, ACh, alone or combined with rivastigmine, significantly blunted monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and interleukin 6 expression, it partially but significantly, restored adiponectin and GLUT4 expression, and promoted glucose uptake., Conclusions: In mouse and human visceral WAT, obesity induces activation of a macrophage-dependent non-neuronal cholinergic system that is capable of exerting anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects on white adipocytes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)