The production of formaldehyde (FA) and clean hydrogen gas via the non-oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol is seen to be a promising approach where the anhydrous formaldehyde is an ideal for using in the subsequent manufacture of oxygenated synthetic fuels. In this investigation, NiMoO₄ with nanoaggregates morphology was synthesized by hydrothermal method in presence of triethylamine (TEA) as a surfactant and tested for the non-oxidative catalytic dehydrogenation of methanol into formaldehyde at relatively low temperature. Structural, morphological and textural properties were characterized by TGA, DSC, XPS, XRD, FT-IR, HR-TEM, pyridine-TPD and N₂-sorption assessments. Results of XRD verified the coexistence of mixed phases of both α and β-NiMoO₄. The catalysts' texture, structure, acidity and catalytic activity were greatly influenced by the introduction and the molar ratio of TEA. The variation of catalytic activity is strongly associated to the variation in S_BET and acidity. Activity results revealed that catalyst with Ni:TEA ratio of 1:1 (N₁T₁) was the most active catalyst with methanol conversion of 96% and selectivity to FA of 95% at reaction temperature of 325°C. The outstanding catalytic performance of this catalyst is due to the presence of weak and intermediate strength Brønsted acidic sites on its surface. This catalyst showed remarkable stability for the synthesis of anhydrous formaldehyde over a 160 h period while maintaining the same conversion and selectivity.

In Egypt, the distribution of black sand in various coastal regions has been readily apparent by thorough research. Unfortunately, these investigations did not measure radioactivity in black sand, particularly in the vicinity of the Red Sea. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to detect the naturally occurring radioactivity from ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ²²⁶Ra in black sand samples from eight locations along the Red Sea coast: Ras Elbehar, Gemsa, Hurghada Elahiaa, Hurghada Titanic, Safaga, Qusier Elsharm Alqbly, Gabal Alrosass, and Marsa Alam. The resultant data were interpolated to represent the spatial distribution. Additionally, the potential rocks sources of radionuclides were geologically mapped to elucidate the relationship between rock components and radioactivity. The results showed that ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and²³⁸U were higher at samples collected from Ras Elbehar, Hurghada Elahiaa and Hurghada Titanic compared to the other sites. On the other hand, ⁴⁰K showed the lowest mean value (75.3 ± 3.8 Bq/kg) in Hurghada Titanic samples, while it peaked (563 ± 28 Bq/kg) in Qusier Elsharm Alqbly samples. The interpolated results show notable differences in radioactive amounts between the north and south, which are indicative of several environmental conditions and human activities. Alkaline syenite, syenogranite, older granites (tonalite and granodiorite), and minor acidic volcanic/metavolcanic rocks make up the upstream area of the basin area draining into, for example, the Ras Elbehar locality (highest activity concentrations for ²³⁸U (1596 ± 80 Bq/kg) and ²²⁶Ra (886 ± 44 Bq/kg)), while alkali-feldspar granite, schist, and shale rocks make up the mid-stream area. The findings provide a basis for scientific forecasting on the impact of synthetic or naturally occurring radioactive isotopes introduced into aquatic environments.