Catalytic sieves and methods for making same

A method for manufacturing a catalytic sieve, comprising:

• (a) providing starting materials comprising an aggregate, a cementing agent, a sublimation agent and water;
• the sublimation agent selected from the group consisting of molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, vanadium disulfide, copper sulfate, and combinations thereof;
• the sublimation agent being provided in an amount of between 25% and 50% by weight of the cementing agent;
• the aggregate containing at least 2% by weight of at least one transition metal;
• (b) mixing the starting materials with one another to achieve a mixture of the starting materials;
• (c) placing the mixture of the starting materials into a form;
• (d) curing the mixture of starting materials in the form for a period of time selected to allow the mixture of starting materials to become a solidified unit of the mixture of starting materials, the solidified unit of the mixture of starting materials being defined by a minimum dimension of thickness, length, and one of width or diameter;
• (e) placing the solidified unit of the mixture of starting materials into a kiln;
• (f) heating the kiln containing the solidified unit of the mixture of starting materials to a processing temperature of between 1115° C. and 1350° C. and maintaining the kiln at the processing temperature for a period of time of between 10 minutes and 60 minutes per centimeter of the minimum dimension of the consolidated unit of the mixture of starting materials;
• and
• (g) removing the solidified unit of the mixture of starting materials from the kiln, the solidified unit removed from the kiln being the catalytic sieve.