Shell 105 catalyst is no longer in production by Shell, but it can be obtained from others … yet what is being sold may be different in the all-important parameter: nanostructure. How can we be sure?
Nanostructure is almost certainly the key to success in trying to replicate the dense hydrogen fabrication technique. BASF apparently bought the rights to this catalyst from Shell, and is the most reputable supplier. There are other specialty suppliers. However, the cost is obscenely high for what is basically a structured form of “rust.” Given the high cost, and more importantly - the lack of assurance on the nanostructure - the possibility arises for making the catalyst from bulk iron oxide and potassium hydroxide. This becomes a more interesting proposition if one has access to a high speed ball mill or equivalent and a well-equipped chemistry lab. Anyone considering the strategy of making the nanoporous iron oxide catalyst should have a look at this article from Nature, which is current, and very interesting. Almost makes one wonder if Nature has not finally seen the light, so to speak. http://www.nature.com/articles/srep09733 There are six different nanostructures shown for iron oxide. I am not sure which is best for the Holmlid effect and the formation of ultra-dense hydrogen, but there is a clue. Notably, in one of the pictured nanostructures (called “porous spheres” figure 3) a broad absorption edge at 535 nm was observed, which is a bit coincidental, no? This light frequency is associated with a double excitation process which is is also responsible for the red color of α-Fe2O3 phase. This is the laser frequency used by Holmlid. Note: the absorption frequency of light and the color seen by the human eye are not necessarily the same. Thus, a powder which appears red can be absorbent for green light (535 nm). FWIW: this red iron oxide powder is available on eBay for about $1/pound which is about 400 times less expensive than one of the suppliers is asking for their version of Shell 105. Jones
