Cu,Zn,Al layered double hydroxides as precursors for copper catalysts in methanol steam reforming – pH-controlled synthesis by microemulsion technique

By co-precipitation inside microemulsion droplets a Cu-based catalyst precursor was prepared with a Cu:Zn:Al ratio of 50:17:33. A pH-controlled synthesis was applied by simultaneous dosing of metal solution and precipitation agent. This technique allows for continuous operation of the synthesis and enables easy and feasible up-scaling. For comparison conventional co-precipitation was applied with the same composition. Both techniques resulted in phase pure layered double hydroxide precursors and finally (after calcination and reduction) in small Cu nanoparticles (8 nm) and ZnAl2O4. By applying the microemulsion technique smaller Cu/ZnAl2O4 aggregates with less embedded Cu particles were obtained. The microemulsion product exhibited a higher BET and specific Cu surface area and also a higher absolute catalytic activity in methanol steam reforming. However, the Cu surface area-normalized, intrinsic activity was lower. This observation was related to differences in interactions of Cu metal and oxide phase

Digitalisation and sustainability – legal challenges for the insurance sector, especially with regard to the use of AI

Digitalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit sind zwei aktuelle und für die Versicherungswirtschaft bedeutsame Themenfelder, die auf den ersten Blick wenig miteinander zu tun haben. Indessen gibt es eine ganze Reihe von inhaltlichen Bezügen und Querverbindungen. Der Beitrag behandelt unter diesem Blickwinkel die rechtlichen Herausforderungen, welche sich aus der Digitalisierung im Versicherungssektor und insbesondere aus dem Einsatz von KI-Systemen ergeben.Digitalisation and sustainability are two current and important topics for the insurance industry that at first glance have little to do with each other. However, there is a whole series of substantive references and cross-connections. From this perspective, the article deals with the legal challenges arising from digitalisation in the insurance sector and in particular from the use of AI systems

Arbitrating in Italy and Germany

This volume assembles overviews on recent developments in German and Italian arbitration. In both countries there have been changes and amendments of the institutional rules issued by the respective institutions, being the “Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit (DIS)” for Germany and the ”Camera Arbitrale di Milano (CAM)” for Italy, in the last few years. These reforms reflect common goals such as speeding up arbitral proceedings, but there remain differences in some respects. In addition, new developments in legislation and in case law of both countries are explained and compared in the articles

Arbitrating in Italy and Germany

This volume assembles overviews on recent developments in German and Italian arbitration. In both countries there have been changes and amendments of the institutional rules issued by the respective institutions, being the “Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit (DIS)” for Germany and the ”Camera Arbitrale di Milano (CAM)” for Italy, in the last few years. These reforms reflect common goals such as speeding up arbitral proceedings, but there remain differences in some respects. In addition, new developments in legislation and in case law of both countries are explained and compared in the articles

Intermetallic compounds in heterogeneous catalysis - a quickly developing field

The application of intermetallic compounds for understanding in heterogeneous catalysis developed in an excellent way during the last decade. This review provides an overview of concepts and developments revealing the potential of intermetallic compounds in fundamental as well as applied catalysis research. Intermetallic compounds may be considered as platform materials to address current and future catalytic challenges, e.g. in respect to the energy transition