NOx adsorption on MnO2/NaY composite: an in situ FTIR and EPR study

The NO, NO/O₂, and NO/O₂/H₂O adsorption on MnO₂/NaY (5 and 15 wt.% MnO₂) composite catalyst and NaY has been studied by means of in situ FTIR and EPR spectroscopy at elevated temperatures and during heating under reaction-like conditions. NO adsorption and co-adsorption of NO and O₂ on NaY and MnO₂/NaY proceeds via oxidation of NO forming NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ species. Whereas the manganese dioxide preferably acts as oxidising agent, the zeolite stores the NO_x species as nitrite and nitrate ions in the solid. In the presence of oxygen, the nitrate formation is enhanced due to additional oxidation of NO through gaseous oxygen leading to NO₂. Dimerisation of NO₂ to N₂O₄ and following disproportionation of the latter causes the formation of NO⁺ and NO₃⁻ species which are associated with nucleophilic zeolitic oxygen and especially alkali cations of the zeolite, respectively. The presence of oxygen facilitates reoxidation of Mn²⁺ which keeps more Mn ions in the active state. Pre-adsorbed water and higher amounts of water vapour in the feed hinder the NO adsorption by blocking the adsorption sites and shift the nitrate formation to higher temperatures. The quantities and thermal stability of the nitrates formed during NO and NO/O₂ adsorption differs which points to a different mechanism of nitrate formation. In the absence of gaseous oxygen, nitrates are formed by participation of only lattice oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, nitrate formation by dimerisation and disproportionation reactions of NO₂ dominates. The manganese component of the composite catalyst supports the oxidation of NO to nitrite and subsequently to nitrate. During this process Mn⁴⁺ is reduced to Mn²⁺ as evidenced by in situ EPR measurements.     

The effect of oxygen concentration on the reduction of NO with propylene over CuO/γ-Al2O3

The effect of oxygen concentration on the pulse and steady-state selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with C₃H₆ over CuO/γ-Al₂O₃ has been studied by infrared spectroscopy (IR) coupled with mass spectroscopy studies. IR studies revealed that the pulse SCR occurred via (i) the oxidation of Cu⁰/Cu⁺ to Cu²⁺ by NO and O₂, (ii) the co-adsorption of NO/NO₂/O₂ to produce Cu²⁺(NO₃⁻)₂, and (iii) the reaction of Cu²⁺(NO₃⁻)₂ with C₃H₆ to produce N₂, CO₂, and H₂O. Increasing the O₂/NO ratio from 25.0 to 83.4 promotes the formation of NO₂ from gas phase oxidation of NO, resulting in a reactant mixture of NO/NO₂/O₂. This reactant mixture allows the formation of Cu²⁺(NO₃⁻)₂ and its reaction with the C₃H₆ to occur at a higher rate with a higher selectivity toward N₂ than the low O₂/NO flow. Both the high and low O₂/NO steady-state SCR reactions follow the same pathway, proceeding via adsorbed C₃H₇---NO₂, C₃H₇---ONO, CH₃COO⁻, Cu⁰---CN, and Cu⁺---NCO intermediates toward N₂, CO₂, and H₂O products. High O₂ concentration in the high O₂/NO SCR accelerates both the formation and destruction of adsorbates, resulting in their intensities similar to the low O₂/NO SCR at 523–698 K. High O₂ concentration in the reactant mixture resulted in a higher rate of destruction of the intermediates than low O₂ concentration at temperatures above 723 K.     

The effect of hydrogen on the selective catalytic reduction of NO in excess oxygen over Ag/Al2O3

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) by propane in the presence of H₂ on sol–gel prepared Ag/Al₂O₃ catalysts (0.5–5 wt.% Ag) was investigated. It was confirmed that hydrocarbon-assisted SCR of NO_x is remarkably enhanced by co-feeding hydrogen to a lean exhaust gas mixture (λ>1), attaining considerable activity within a wide temperature window (470–825 K). The samples had marginal activity at 575 K without co-fed H₂, but achieved up to 60% NO_x conversion in the presence of H₂ at a space velocity of 30,000 h⁻¹. NO₂ as NO_x feed component is not converted to N₂ by C₃H₈ to a substantial extent under lean conditions. This points to an activation route of NO through direct conversion to adsorbed nitrite/nitrate or to a dissociation of NO over Ag⁰, formed through short-term reduction by H₂. The nature of Ag species was characterized by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, pulse thermoanalytical measurements, electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. It could be shown that Ag₂O nano-sized clusters are predominantly present on all samples, whereas formation of silver aluminate could not be confirmed. Nano-sized Ag₂O clusters can reversibly be reduced/reoxidized by H₂. A silver loading higher than 2 wt.% leads to a part of Ag₂O particles, which are thermally decomposed during calcination at 800 K or higher. The catalytic role of this metallic silver is still unclear. Formal kinetic analysis of catalytic data revealed that the activation energy of the overall reaction is significantly lowered in the presence of H₂. The presence of water does not change the activation energy. It is concluded that hydrogen reduces the nano-sized Ag₂O clusters to Ag⁰ on a short-term scale. Zero-valent silver promotes a dissociation pathway of NO_x conversion. The fact that more oxidized ad-species (nitrite/nitrate) are observed in the presence of H₂ is attributed to a dissociative activation of gas-phase oxygen on Ag⁰.     

Mass spectra of negative ions in air-like gas mixtures at atmospheric pressure

We have obtained mass spectra of negative ions produced by rays in artificial air at atmospheric pressure (N₂: 80%, O₂: 20%, H₂O: 20–1500 ppm, CO₂: 0.2–300 ppm, NO, NO₂ 0.02 ppm). We observed two main categories: hydrates built on simple ions (O₂⁻, O₃⁻, OH⁻, CO₃⁻, CO₄⁻, HCO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻), hydrates built on complex ions (NO_x⁻, HNO_γ, HCO₃⁻HNO_x, x = 2,3; Y = 2, 3). For high values of hygrometry, CO₂ content and ageing time (5 msec) we observe the disappearance of O₂⁻, O₃⁻, OH⁻ hydrates whereas the major part of the spectrum consists of complex ions.     

Reductive decomposition of nitrate ion to nitrogen in water on a unique hollandite photocatalyst

Photocatalysis of a hollandite compound K_xGa_xSn_8−xO₁₆ (x = ca. 1.8) was examined for the reduction of nitrate ion with a reducing agent of methanol in water under UV irradiation. Hollandites have a characteristic one-dimensional tunnel structure. The hollandite powder, which was prepared by the sol–gel method and unloaded with any additives like metals, was used as the photocatalyst and its photocatalytic reaction was analyzed quantitatively by using ion chromatography and on-line mass spectrometry, and its reaction mechanism was analyzed by in-situ FT-IR. The hollandite photocatalyst showed a significant activity for the formation of N₂ from NO₃⁻. The nitrate was reduced to N₂ and NO₂⁻, while the reducing agent methanol was partly oxidized to change to formic acid. The conversion of NO₃⁻was proportional to the yields of N₂, NO₂⁻, and HCOO⁻. The present photocatalyzed decomposition of NO₃⁻ to N₂ would be a useful photocatalysis for the environmental protection of water.     

Rhodium deposits on pyrolytic graphite substrate: Physico-chemical properties and electrocatalytic activity towards nitrate reduction in neutral medium

The electrodeposition of metallic rhodium on pyrolytic graphite from 10 mM Na₃RhCl₆ + 0.5 M NaCl aqueous solution was studied by potentiostatic method with the use of a double-pulse technique involving nucleation and growth pulses. Physico-chemical properties of Rh deposits were investigated by electrochemical methods and scanning electron microscopy. The activity of Rh-modified graphite electrodes towards nitrate reduction in neutral medium was demonstrated, the activation energy of nitrate reduction and NO₃⁻ Langmuir adsorption constant on Rh deposits were determined.

The use of double-pulse technique resulted in enhanced surface coverage in comparison with usual potentiostatic deposition and in decreasing the mean particle size down to 30 nm, while the specific catalyst surface area attains 32 m² g⁻¹. The increase in the nucleation pulse duration from 20 to 100 ms enhances the mass catalytic activity towards NO₃⁻ reduction, which reaches 175 A g⁻¹ for the best samples. Irrespectively of electrodeposition parameters, only NH₃ and NO₂⁻ were detected as nitrate reduction products. The rate of NO₃⁻ destruction was equal to which is much higher than that of most of Pd/Cu-based nitrate hydrogenation systems and Ag/TiO₂ photocatalysts.     

Enhancement of dye sonochemical degradation by some inorganic anions present in natural waters

The sonochemical degradation rate of the charged substrates Acid Blue 40 (AB40) and methylene blue (MB) is enhanced by scavengers of hydroxyl radicals such as bicarbonate, carbonate, bromide, iodide and (only in the case of AB40) nitrite. No rate variation was observed with chloride, nitrate or sulphate, excluding a mere ionic strength effect. Oxidation of bicarbonate, carbonate, bromide, iodide and nitrite yields the corresponding radicals CO₃⁻, Br₂⁻, I₂⁻ and NO₂, reactive but less than OH. Degradation enhancement can occur if these radicals are sonochemically formed on the surface of the collapsing cavitation bubbles and undergo there radical–radical recombination at a lesser extent than OH. In this way the radicals would be more available than OH for substrate degradation, both at the bubble surface and in the solution bulk, which could more than compensate for their lower intrinsic reactivity. The varied reactivity toward different substrates of the sonochemically formed radical species could then explain why nitrite inhibits MB degradation while enhancing that of AB40. The sonochemical formation of Br₂⁻, I₂⁻ and NO₂ can give rise to halogenation and nitration in addition to oxidation processes. In fact bromo-, iodo- and nitrophenols were detected upon sonication of phenol in the presence of the corresponding anions, but only at quite elevated concentration values of nitrite, bromide or iodide (above 10 mM). Formation of harmful halogeno- and nitroderivatives could therefore take place on sonication of some wastewater rather than of typical natural waters.     

Combined effect of H2O and SO2 on V2O5/AC catalysts for NO reduction with ammonia at lower temperatures

Combined effect of H₂O and SO₂ on V₂O₅/AC the activity of catalyst for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃ at lower temperatures was studied. In the absence of SO₂, H₂O inhibits the catalytic activity, which may be attributed to competitive adsorption of H₂O and reactants (NO and/or NH₃). Although SO₂ promotes the SCR activity of the V₂O₅/AC catalyst in the absence of H₂O, it speeds the deactivation of the catalyst in the presence of H₂O. The dual effect of SO₂ is attributed to the SO₄²⁻ formed on the catalyst surface, which stays as ammonium-sulfate salts on the catalyst surface. In the absence of H₂O, a small amount of ammonium-sulfate salts deposits on the surface of the catalyst, which promote the SCR activity; in the presence of H₂O, however, the deposition rate of ammonium-sulfate salts is much greater, which results in blocking of the catalyst pores and deactivates the catalyst. Decreasing V₂O₅ loading decreases the deactivation rate of the catalyst. The catalyst can be used stably at a space velocity of 9000 h⁻¹ and temperature of 250 °C.     

The activity and characterization of sol–gel Sn/Al2O3 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx in the presence of oxygen

Catalytic performance of Sn/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by impregnation (IM) and sol–gel (SG) method for selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by propene under lean burn condition were investigated. The physical properties of catalyst were characterized by BET, XRD, XPS and TPD. The results showed that NO₂ had higher reactivity than NO to nitrogen, the maximum NO conversion was 82% on the 5% Sn/Al₂O₃ (SG) catalyst, and the maximum NO₂ conversion reached nearly 100% around 425 °C. Such a temperature of maximum NO conversion was in accordance with those of NO_x desorption accompanied with O₂ around 450 °C. The activity of NO reduction was enhanced remarkably by the presence of H₂O and SO₂ at low temperature, and the temperature window was also broadened in the presence of H₂O and SO₂, however the NO_x desorption and NO conversion decreased sharply on the 300 ppm SO₂ treated catalyst, the catalytic activity was inhibited by the presence of SO₂ due to formation of sulfate species (SO₄²⁻) on the catalysts. The presence of oxygen played an essential role in NO reduction, and the activity of the 5% Sn/Al₂O₃ (SG) was not decreased in the presence of large oxygen.     

Influence of CO2 and H2O on NOx storage and reduction on a Pt–Ba/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

In this paper, the effect of CO₂ and H₂O on NO_x storage and reduction over a Pt–Ba/γ-Al₂O₃ (1 wt.% Pt and 30 wt.% Ba) catalyst is shown. The experimental results reveal that in the presence of CO₂ and H₂O, NO_x is stored on BaCO₃ sites only. Moreover, H₂O inhibits the NO oxidation capability of the catalyst and no NO₂ formation is observed. Only 16% of the total barium is utilized in NO storage. The rich phase shows 95% selectivity towards N₂ as well as complete regeneration of stored NO. In the presence of CO₂, NO is oxidized into NO₂ and more NO_x is stored as in the presence of H₂O, resulting in 30% barium utilization. Bulk barium sites are inactive in NO_x trapping in the presence of CO₂·NH₃ formation is seen in the rich phase and the selectivity towards N₂ is 83%. Ba(NO₃)₂ is always completely regenerated during the subsequent rich phase. In the absence of CO₂ and H₂O, both surface and bulk barium sites are active in NO_x storage. As lean/rich cycling proceeds, the selectivity towards N₂ in the rich phase decreases from 82% to 47% and the N balance for successive lean/rich cycles shows incomplete regeneration of the catalyst. This incomplete regeneration along with a 40% decrease in the Pt dispersion and BET surface area, explains the observed decrease in NO_x storage.     

Spin localization for NO adsorption on surface O atoms of metal oxides

The adsorption of NO on the oxygen site of several metal oxide surfaces is discussed. It is shown that the strength of the interaction and the variation of the bond lengths are not always correlated to the electron transfer from NO to the surface atoms. In cases of irreducible metal oxides, NO₂²⁻ may be strongly adsorbed. The formation of NO₂⁻ on reducible metal oxide is difficult unless terminal oxygen is present on the surface. Then, the reduction of the surface by transferring the unpaired electron from the NO to the surface appears in DFT calculations (VASP code).     

In situ FTIR study on NO reduction by C3H6 over Pd-based catalysts

The reaction mechanism of the reduction of NO by propene over Pd-based catalysts was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. It was observed that the reaction between NO and propene most probably goes via isocyanate (2256–2230 cm⁻¹), nitrate (1310–1250 cm⁻¹) and acetate (1560 and 1460 cm⁻¹) intermediates formation. Other possible intermediates such as partially oxidized hydrocarbons, NO₂, and formates were also detected. The reaction between nitrates and acetates or carbonates reduced nitrates to N₂ and oxidized carbon compounds to CO₂. In situ DRIFT provides quick and rather easily elucidated data from adsorbed compounds and reaction intermediates on the catalyst surface. The activity experiments were carried out to find out the possible reaction mechanism and furthermore the kinetic equation for NO reduction by propene.     

Two conversion maxima at 373 and 573 K in the reduction of nitrogen monoxide with hydrogen over Pd/TiO2 catalyst

Supporting Pt and Pd catalysts have been examined for the reduction of NO with H₂ in the presence of oxygen and moisture. All catalysts showed a conversion maximum in the NO reduction at around 373 K. An additional conversion maximum was found to appear at around 573 K over several metal oxides supporting Pd, and Pd/TiO₂ gave the highest conversion at around 573 K among the catalysts tested. In the reaction at 373 K, NO might be reduced directly by H₂ both on Pt and Pd catalysts to give N₂ and N₂O. At the conversion maximum of the Pd/TiO₂ catalyst at 575 K, however, in situ generated NO₂ seems to react with H₂.     

CH4-SCR of NO over Co and Pd ferrierite catalysts: Effect of preparation on catalytic performance

Selective catalytic reduction of NO with methane (CH₄-SCR) in the presence of oxygen excess and water vapour was studied over two bimetallic cobalt/palladium-based FER catalysts, which differ on the order of introduction of metal ions. H₂-TPR and UV–vis analysis showed that the simple change in the order of addition of metals to catalyst, gives rise to totally diverse species (Co²⁺ ions, Co oxides, Co-oxo cations and Pd species) both in type and quantity but also in location within zeolite framework. Experiments of TPD and TPSR of NO and NO₂ provided important information to establish a relation between the various active sites formed on both catalysts and their function in the reaction mechanism. The importance of NO₂ in the mechanism of NO reaction with CH₄ and O₂ was explored and the catalyst with a higher capacity to retain adsorbed NO₂ is the less active for deNO_x. The preparation of a bimetallic catalyst active for NO reduction must provide the proximity between Co and Pd species, and the presence of Co-oxo cations together with palladium species seem to be essential. Furthermore, a suitable amount of cobalt oxides must exist in order to originate NO₂ that is the main reaction intermediate. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of these Co species can lead to an increase of adsorbed NO₂, which reduces the rate of the reaction of some of the mechanism steps.     

Effect of pH, inorganic ions, organic matter and H2O2 on E. coli K12 photocatalytic inactivation by TiO2: Implications in solar water disinfection

The effect of different chemical parameters on photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli K12 is discussed. Illumination was produced by a solar lamp and suspended TiO₂ P-25 Degussa was used as catalyst. Modifications of initial pH between 4.0 and 9.0 do not affect the inactivation rate in the absence or presence of the catalyst. Addition of H₂O₂ affects positively the E. coli inactivation rate of both photolytic (only light) and photocatalytic (light plus TiO₂) disinfection processes. Addition of some inorganic ions (0.2 mmol/l) like HCO₃⁻, HPO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ to the suspension affects the sensitivity of bacteria to sunlight in the presence and in absence of TiO₂. Addition of HCO₃⁻ and HPO₄²⁻ resulted in a meaningful decrease in photocatalytic bactericidal effect while it was noted a weak influence of Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻. The effect of counter ion (Na⁺ and K⁺) is not negligible and can modify the photocatalytic process as the anions. Bacteria inactivation was affected even at low concentrations (0.2 mmol/l) of SO₄²⁻ and HCO₃⁻, but the same concentration does not affect the resorcinol photodegradation, suggesting that disinfection is more sensitive to the presence of natural anions than photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds. The presence of organic substances naturally present in water like dihydroxybenzenes isomers shows a negative effect on photocatalytic disinfection. The effect of a mixture of chemical substances on photocatalytic disinfection was also studied by adding to the bacterial suspension nutrient broth, phosphate buffer and tap water.     

NO decomposition and reduction by CH4 over Sr/La2O3

Both NO decomposition and NO reduction by CH₄ over 4%Sr/La₂O₃ in the absence and presence of O₂ were examined between 773 and 973 K, and N₂O decomposition was also studied. The presence of CH₄ greatly increased the conversion of NO to N₂ and this activity was further enhanced by co-fed O₂. For example, at 773 K and 15 Torr NO the specific activities of NO decomposition, reduction by CH₄ in the absence of O₂, and reduction with 1% O₂ in the feed were 8.3·10⁻⁴, 4.6·10⁻³, and 1.3·10⁻² μmol N₂/s m², respectively. This oxygen-enhanced activity for NO reduction is attributed to the formation of methyl (and/or methylene) species on the oxide surface. NO decomposition on this catalyst occurred with an activation energy of 28 kcal/mol and the reaction order at 923 K with respect to NO was 1.1. The rate of N₂ formation by decomposition was inhibited by O₂ in the feed even though the reaction order in NO remained the same. The rate of NO reduction by CH₄ continuously increased with temperature to 973 K with no bend-over in either the absence or the presence of O₂ with equal activation energies of 26 kcal/mol. The addition of O₂ increased the reaction order in CH₄ at 923 K from 0.19 to 0.87, while it decreased the reaction order in NO from 0.73 to 0.55. The reaction order in O₂ was 0.26 up to 0.5% O₂ during which time the CH₄ concentration was not decreased significantly. N₂O decomposition occurs rapidly on this catalyst with a specific activity of 1.6·10⁻⁴ μmol N₂/s m² at 623 K and 1220 ppm N₂O and an activation energy of 24 kcal/mol. The addition of CH₄ inhibits this decomposition reaction. Finally, the use of either CO or H₂ as the reductant (no O₂) produced specific activities at 773 K that were almost 5 times greater than that with CH₄ and gave activation energies of 21–26 kcal/mol, thus demonstrating the potential of using CO/H₂ to reduce NO to N₂ over these REO catalysts.     

Characterization of Pd-based FCC CO/NOx control additives by in situ FTIR and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies

Pdⁿ⁺/Ceⁿ⁺/Na⁺/γ-Al₂O₃-type materials used as FCC additives for CO/NO_x control were characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and in situ FTIR. The EXAFS data indicate that in freshly prepared samples palladium is present in the form of highly dispersed PdO species. Reduction with H₂ at 500 °C leads to the formation of small Pd clusters incorporating on average approximately six to eight metal atoms at a Pd−Pd bond distance of 2.76 Å. All components of these materials can interact with NO and promote the formation of nitrate/nitrite species, essentially “trapping” NO_x species on the catalyst surface. However, the Na⁺ species dominate the surface chemistry and readily form sodium nitrates with a characteristic IR band at 1370–1385 cm⁻¹. Finally, hydroxyls from the support are also actively participating in the formation of HNO_x type compounds with characteristic stretching vibrations in the 3500–3572 cm⁻¹ region.     

Water vapor sensitivity of nanosized La(Co, Mn, Fe)1−x(Cu, Pd)xO3 perovskites during NO reduction by C3H6 in the presence of oxygen

A series of La(Co, Mn, Fe)_1−x(Cu, Pd)_xO₃ perovskites having high specific surface areas and nanosized crystal domains was prepared by reactive grinding. The solids were characterized by N₂ adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of O₂, NO + O₂, C₃H₆, in the absence or presence of 5% H₂O, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as activity tests towards NO reduction by propene under the conditions of 3000 ppm NO, 3000 ppm C₃H₆, 1% O₂, 0 or 10% H₂O, and 50,000 h⁻¹ space velocity. The objective was to investigate the influence of H₂O addition on catalytic behavior. A good performance (100% NO conversion, 77% N₂ yield, and 90% C₃H₆ conversion) was achieved at 600 °C over LaFe_0.8Cu_0.2O₃ under a dry feed stream. With the exposure of LaFe_0.8Cu_0.2O₃ to a humid atmosphere containing 10% water vapor, the catalytic activity was slightly decreased yielding 91% NO conversion, 51% N₂ yield, and 86% C₃H₆ conversion. A competitive adsorption between H₂O vapor with O₂ and NO molecules at anion vacancies over LaFe_0.8Cu_0.2O₃ was found by means of TPD studies here. A deactivation mechanism was therefore proposed involving the occupation of available active sites by water vapor, resulting in an inhibition of catalytic activity in C₃H₆ + NO + O₂ reaction. This H₂O deactivation was also verified to be strictly reversible by removing steam from the feed.     

The role of lanthana loading on the catalytic properties of Pd/Al2O3-La2O3 in the NO reduction with H2

The role of La₂O₃ loading in Pd/Al₂O₃-La₂O₃ prepared by sol–gel on the catalytic properties in the NO reduction with H₂ was studied. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, temperature-programmed reduction, differential thermal analysis, temperature-programmed oxidation and temperature-programmed desorption of NO.

The physicochemical properties of Pd catalysts as well as the catalytic activity and selectivity are modified by La₂O₃ inclusion. The selectivity depends on the NO/H₂ molar ratio (GHSV = 72,000 h⁻¹) and the extent of interaction between Pd and La₂O₃. At NO/H₂ = 0.5, the catalysts show high N₂ selectivity (60–75%) at temperatures lower than 250 °C. For NO/H₂ = 1, the N₂ selectivity is almost 100% mainly for high temperatures, and even in the presence of 10% H₂O vapor. The high N₂ selectivity indicates a high capability of the catalysts to dissociate NO upon adsorption. This property is attributed to the creation of new adsorption sites through the formation of a surface PdO_x phase interacting with La₂O₃. The formation of this phase is favored by the spreading of PdO promoted by La₂O₃. DTA shows that the phase transformation takes place at temperatures of 280–350 °C, while TPO indicates that this phase transformation is related to the oxidation process of PdO: in the case of Pd/Al₂O₃ the O₂ uptake is consistent with the oxidation of PdO to PdO₂, and when La₂O₃ is present the O₂ uptake exceeds that amount (1.5 times). La₂O₃ in Pd catalysts promotes also the oxidation of Pd and dissociative adsorption of NO mainly at low temperatures (<250 °C) favoring the formation of N₂.     

Influence of NH3 and NO oxidation on the SCR reaction mechanism on copper/nickel and vanadium oxide catalysts supported on alumina and titania

The influence of ammonia and nitric oxide oxidation on the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by ammonia with copper/nickel and vanadium oxide catalysts, supported on titania or alumina have been investigated, paying special attention to N₂O formation. In the SCR reaction, the VTi catalyst had a higher activity than VAl at low temperatures, while the CuNiAl catalyst had a higher activity than CuNiTi. A linear relationship between the reaction rate of ammonia oxidation and the initial reduction temperature of the catalysts obtained by H₂-TPR showed that the formation rate of NH species in copper/nickel catalysts would be higher than in vanadia catalysts. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) showed that copper/nickel catalysts presented ammonia coordinated on Lewis acid sites, whereas ammonium ion adsorbed on Brønsted acid sites dominated on vanadia catalysts. The NO oxidation experiments revealed that copper/nickel catalysts had an increase of the NO₂ and N₂O concentrations with the temperature. NO could be adsorbed on copper/nickel catalysts and the NO₂ intermediate species could play an important role in the reaction mechanism. It was suggested that the presence of adsorbed NO₂ species could be related to the N₂O formation.