Decomposition of Nitrous Oxide Over Fe-Ferrierites. Effect of Deposited Oxygen on the Framework Oxygens Studied by 18O Isotopic Exchange

About 50-75% of oxygen captured during decomposition of N₂O at 200 °C over Fe-FER (Fe/Al 0.03-0.6) was exchanged by ¹⁸O at room temperature. Complete desorption of captured oxygen containing mostly ¹⁶O isotope was reached at higher temperature. The ¹⁸O deficiency was rationalized by assuming labilization of the framework oxygen in Fe-FER.     

Nitrous Oxide Reduction with Ammonia and Methane Over Mesoporous Silica Materials Modified with Transition Metal Oxides

Transition metal oxides (Cu, Cr and Fe) were deposited on various mesoporous silicas (MCM-48, SBA-15, MCF and x-MSU) by an impregnation method. Electron microprobe analysis, BET, UV-VIS-DRS and temperature programmed desorption of NH₃ were used for the characterization of the samples. The modified mesoporous silicas were tested as catalysts of the N₂O decomposition and the N₂O reduction using ammonia and methane. The Cu-containing samples presented the highest catalytic activity in the N₂O decomposition, while the Cr- and Fe-modified materials were more active in the reduction of nitrous oxide with NH₃ and CH₄. The type of the silica support strongly influenced the catalytic performance of the studied materials.     

Isotopic Study of N2O Decomposition on an Ion-Exchanged Fe-Zeolite Catalyst: Mechanism of O2 Formation

N₂O decomposition on an ion-exchanged Fe-MFI catalyst has been studied using an ¹⁸O-tracer technique in order to reveal the reaction mechanism. N₂ ¹⁶O was pulsed onto an ¹⁸O₂-treated Fe-MFI catalyst at 693 K, and the O₂ molecules produced were monitored by means of mass spectrometry. The ¹⁸O fraction in the produced oxygen had almost half the value of that on the surface oxygen, and ¹⁸O¹⁸O was not detected. The result shows that O₂ formation proceeds via the Eley–Rideal mechanism (N₂ ¹⁶O + ¹⁸O(a) N₂ + ¹⁶O¹⁸O).     

Catalytic Conversion of N2O to N2 over Metal-Based Catalysts in the Presence of Hydrocarbons and Oxygen

The catalytic conversion of N₂O to N₂ in the presence or the absence of propene and oxygen was studied. The catalysts examined in this work were synthesized impregnating metals (Rh, Ru, Pd, Co, Cu, Fe, In) on different supports (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, ZrO₂ and calcined hydrotalcite MgAl₂(OH)₈·H₂O). The experimental results varied both with the type of the active site and with the type of the support. Rh and Ru impregnated on -alumina exhibited the highest activity. The performance of the above most promising catalysts was studied using various hydrocarbons (CH₄, C₃H₆, C₃H₈) as reducing agents. These experimental results showed that the type of reducing agent does not affect the reaction yield. The temperature where complete conversion of N₂O to N₂ was measured was independent of the reductant type. The activity of the most active catalysts was also measured in the presence of SO₂ and H₂O in the feed. A shift of the N₂O conversion versus temperature curve to higher temperatures was observed when SO₂ and H₂O were added, separately or simultaneously, to the feed. The inhibition caused by SO₂ was attributed to the formation of sulfates and that caused by water to the competitive chemisorption of H₂O and N₂O on the same active sites.     

Direct decomposition of nitrous oxide in the presence of oxygen over iridium catalyst supported on alumina

Direct decomposition of nitrous oxide (N₂O) on noble metal catalysts supported on alumina was examined in the presence of oxygen. The iridium catalysts supported on alumina showed higher activities than the other noble metal catalysts. Although the catalyst activity was affected by oxygen formed by N₂O decomposition at lower temperatures, desorption of oxygen proceeded promptly at the temperature , and the catalytic activity was recovered by increasing the reaction temperature from 350 to . Therefore, the Ir/Al₂O₃ catalyst can be used for N₂O decomposition in the presence of oxygen at relatively higher temperatures.     

Possible role of nitrite/nitrate redox cycles in N2O decomposition and light-off over Fe-ZSM-5

Surface nitrite/nitrate redox cycles were proposed to explain light-off behavior that was observed during the decomposition of N₂O over Fe-ZSM-5. Further study has demonstrated that while the nitrite/nitrate model can explain the original observations as an isothermal, mechanistic phenomenon, the light-off behavior is thermal, and not a mechanistic effect. Nonetheless, a pathway involving nitrite/nitrate redox cycles appears to be more consistent with experimental observation than the simple two-step pathway involving cation redox cycles. In particular, the nitrite/nitrate pathway can explain the effect of added NO upon the reaction kinetics and the reported isotopic product composition when unlabeled N₂O reacts over an oxygen-labeled catalyst. Further, a nitrite/nitrate pathway is consistent with the steady-state kinetics as well as published thermal desorption and infrared spectroscopic results.     

The Effect of Different Active Sites on the Catalytic Activity of Fe-ZSM-5 Zeolite for N2O Direct Decomposition

Fe-modified ZSM-5 zeolites (Si/Al = 25) were prepared by adopting the liquid ion-exchange method with nitrate and oxalate of iron as Fe precursors and their catalytic performance was studied in the N₂O decomposition reaction. The results of FT-IR and H₂-TPR investigations indicated that (i) part of the iron ions could replace Brönsted acid protons at the straight channel wall (α sites), intersection of straight and sinusoidal channels (β sites), and sinusoidal channel wall (γ sites) within the ZSM-5 zeolite; and (ii) different Fe precursors gave rise to various distributions of α, β, and γ sites. We observed that the Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst prepared with iron oxalate as Fe precursor outperformed the ones prepared with iron nitrate as Fe precursor in the direct decomposition of N₂O. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of iron ions located at the α sites was higher than those of iron ions located at the β and γ sites.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils

This paper addresses three topics related to N₂O emissions from agricultural soils. First, an assessment of the current knowledge of N₂O emissions from agricultural soils and the role of agricultural systems in the global N₂O are discussed. Secondly, a critique on the methodology presented in the OECD/OCDE (1991) program on national inventories of N₂O is presented. Finally, technical options for controlling N₂O emissions from agricultural fields are discussed.The amount of N₂O derived from nitrogen applied to agricultural soils from atmospheric deposition, mineral N fertilizer, animal wastes or biologically fixed N, is not accurately known. It is estimated that the world-wide N₂O emitteddirectly from agricultural fields as a result of the deposition of all the above nitrogen sources is 2–3 Tg N annually. This amounts to 20–30% of the total N₂O emitted annually from the earth's surface. An unknown, but probably significant, amount of N₂O is generated indirectly in on and off farm activities associated with food production and consumption.Management options to limitdirect N₂O emissions from N-fertilized soils should emphasize improving N-use efficiency. Such management options include managing irrigation frequency, timing and quantity; applying N only to meet crop demand through multiple applications during the growing season or by using controlled release fertilizers; applying sufficient N only to meet crop needs; or using nitrification inhibitors. Most of these options have not been field tested. Agricultural management practices may not appreciably affect indirect N₂O emissions.     

Infrared Evidence for the Existence of Nitrate Species on Cu-ZSM5 During Isothermal Rate Oscillations in the Decomposition of N2O

Isothermal oscillations in the rate of decomposition of N₂O were studied on an over-exchanged Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst by mass spectroscopy and in situ transient FTIR. Oscillations in the production of O₂ and N₂ were observed to occur in a temperature range of 410–490°C at a total pressure of 1.0 Torr pure N₂O. FTIR has provided the first spectroscopic evidence that surface nitrate species are present under oscillatory conditions. This study confirmed a previously proposed model that predicts a slow build-up of surface nitrates, followed by a rapid nitrate decomposition coupled with an increase in the rate of N₂O decomposition. The IR signature of the surface nitrates suggests they are monodentate nitrate species bound to Cu²⁺ ions. Temperature-programmed desorption studies reveal a strong correlation between the stability of the surface nitrate species and the temperature range in which oscillations occur.     

N2O decomposition over [Fe]-ZSM-5 and Fe-HZSM-5 zeolites

The N₂O decomposition over an [Fe]-ZSM-5 and an Fe-HZSM-5 zeolite was studied. We found that framework incorporated iron species were much more active than Fe(III) introduced as framework charge countercations by ion exchange (TOF at 0.1 vol% N₂O:1.47 × 10^–4 at 280°C for [Fe]-ZSM-5 vs. 2.58 × 10^–4 at 468°C for Fe-HZSM-5). The higher activity of [Fe]-ZSM-5 was attributed to the uniqueness of framework iron species. Both [Fe]-ZSM-5 and Fe-HZSM-5 zeolites showed enhanced activity in the presence of excess oxygen. This is in sharp contrast to ruthenium exchanged zeolites which showed strong oxygen inhibiting effect on the rate of N₂O decomposition.     

Self oscillatory behaviour in N2O decomposition over Co-ZSM-5 catalysts

Isothermal oscillations developed during N₂O decomposition over Co-ZSM-5 catalysts with different Si/Al ratios have been investigated. Spontaneous oscillations were observed between 350 and 450 °C. The maximum amplitude has been obtained for the catalysts having Si/Al of 40 and 50. The activation energies of the obtained oscillations were calculated in respect to cobalt concentration. The results showed that the E_a values increase linearly with an increasing Si/Al ratio of the zeolite. For Co-ZSM-5 catalyst (Si/Al = 25), increasing cobalt content in the catalyst led to a decrease in the frequency as well as the amplitude of the oscillations. Meanwhile, the increase in the E_a values was observed. The calculated reaction rate was found to be first order with respect to nitrous oxide concentration. Moreover, the developed oscillations were found to be sensitive to inlet N₂O concentration, catalyst weight and milling time duration. Decreasing the N₂O inlet concentration as well as the catalyst weight and increasing the milling time would lead to a quenching of the developed oscillations.     

Effect of noble metals in the decomposition of nitrous oxide over Fe-ferrierites

The decomposition of nitrous oxide was studied over Fe-ferrierite, Me-ferrierites and Fe/Me-ferrierites (Me: Pt, Rh and Ru). Flow as well as batch experiments were carried out and showed a synergy between Fe and Me ions. Ions of noble metals in Fe-ferrierite increased the catalytic activity in the sequence Pt < Rh ≅ Ru. Addition of NO substantially decreased the decomposition of N₂O over Rh/ferrierite and Ru/ferrierite, but not over bimetallic ferrierites. NO _x species created during the decomposition of nitrous oxide alone as well as with addition of NO, and employment of nitrous oxide labeled with ¹⁸O allowed us to assume a changing decomposition mechanism in the presence of Me ions in Fe-ferrierites.     

Effect of large cations (La and Ba) on the catalytic performance of Mn-substituted hexaaluminates for N2O decomposition

Mn-substituted La-hexaaluminate (LaMn_xAl_(12−x)O₁₉) and Ba-hexaaluminate (BaMn_xAl_(12−x)O₁₉) catalysts were prepared using the carbonates route and investigated for high-concentration of N₂O decomposition. It was for the first time found that the Ba-hexaaluminate exhibited higher activity than the La-hexaaluminate at a given Mn content, both of which were much more active than Mn/Al₂O₃ after being subjected to high-temperature (1400 °C) treatment. The catalytic activity varied with the Mn content and attained the best one at x = 1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations showed that a small amount of Mn (up to x = 1) promoted greatly the formation of phase-pure hexaaluminate, while excess Mn caused formation of catalytically inactive impurity phases, such as LaAlO₃, BaAl₂O₄, Mn₃O₄, and LaMnO₃, which covered partially the active sites and then led to a loss of the activity. UV–visible spectra showed that Mn²⁺ preferentially enter tetrahedral Al sites at a low Mn content (x = 0.5) for the La-hexaaluminate, which is quite different from the case of Ba-hexaaluminate where Mn³⁺ can substitute octahedral Al sites even at x = 0.5. Such a difference in the number of catalytically active Mn³⁺ sites in the octahedral position should be responsible for the higher activity of the Mn-substituted Ba-hexaaluminate.     

CuAPSO-34 Catalysts for N2O Decomposition in the Presence of H2O. A Study of Zeolitic Structure Stability in Comparison to Cu-SAPO-34 and Cu-ZSM-5

The structural stability at high temperatures of both Cu-exchanged SAPO-34 and CuAPSO-34 with isomorphously substituted copper ions has been investigated. SAPO-34 undergoes an extensive crystallinity loss upon copper ion exchange. The CuAPSO-34 framework showed good hydrothermal stability, as reflected in its surface area and X-ray diffraction pattern after ageing treatments. This catalyst exhibited good activity in N₂O decomposition even when the reaction was run in the presence of H₂O or after ageing treatment under H₂O vapor at 600 °C for 80 h which, conversely, led to a drastic loss of activity of Cu-ZSM-5.     

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from soil–plant systems

The closed chamber method was used to measure the N₂O and CH₄ emissions from rice, maize, soybean and spring wheat fields in Northeast China. Rice field almost did not emit or deposit N₂O in total during flooding period, whereas N₂O was substantially emitted during non-flooding period. The annual emission amount of N₂O was 1.70 kg N₂O ha^-1, but that in flooding period was only 0.04 kg N₂O ha^-1. Daily average and seasonal total CH₄ emission in rice field were 0.07 and 7.40 g CH₄m^-2, respectively. A trade-off between N₂O and CH₄ emissions from rice field was found. The growth of Azolla in rice field greatly stimulated both N₂O and CH₄ emissions. Total N₂O emissions (270 days) from maize and soybean fields were 7.10 and 3.12 kg N₂O ha^-1, respectively. The sink function of the uplands monitored as the atmospheric CH₄ was not significant. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Decomposition of N2O over the surface of cobalt spinel: A DFT account of reactivity experiments

The DFT molecular modeling of N₂O decomposition over cobalt spinel (1 0 0) plane was performed using a cluster approach, and applied to rationalize the experimental reactivity data. The energetics of the postulated elementary steps such as N₂O adsorption, N₂O activation through dissociative electron or oxygen atom transfer, surface diffusion of resultant oxygen intermediates, and their recombination into O₂, was evaluated and discussed. The geometry and electronic structure of the implicated active sites and intermediates were determined. Three different transition states were found for the activation of nitrous oxide molecule. In the preferred electron transfer mechanism, involving a monodentate transition state, the N₂O activation and the formation of dioxygen are energetically the most demanding steps, whereas the barrier for the oxygen surface diffusion was found to be distinctly smaller. For the oxygen atom transfer the reaction is energetically constraint by the NO bond-breaking step. The inhibiting effect of co-adsorbed water and oxygen on the particular reaction steps was briefly addressed.     

NO-Assisted N2O Decomposition over ex-Framework FeZSM-5: Mechanistic Aspects

The decomposition of N₂O over an ex-framework FeZSM-5 catalyst is strongly promoted by NO. Activity data show that the promoting effect of NO is catalytic, and that besides NO₂, O₂ is formed much more extensively in the presence, than in the absence of NO. Transient in situ FT-IR/MS measurements indicate that NO is strongly adsorbed on the catalyst surface up to at least 650 K, showing absorption frequencies at 1884 and 1876 cm^–1. A change in gas phase composition from NO to N₂O results in the formation of adsorbed NO₂, identified by a sharp IR band at 1635 cm^–1. Switching back to the original NO gas phase induces a rapid desorption of NO₂, restoring the original NO absorption frequencies. During the IR measurements, bands typical of nitro- or nitrate groups were not observed. Multi-Track (a TAP-like technique) experiments show that the presence of NO or NO₂ on the catalyst surface significantly enhances the rate of oxygen desorption at the time of N₂O exposure to the catalyst. The spectral changes and transient experiments are discussed and catalytic cycles are proposed, to explain the formation of NO₂ and the (enhanced) formation of oxygen. The latter can be either explained by an indirect effect (electronic, steric) of NO adsorbed on sites neighboring the active sites, or by a direct effect involving reaction of adsorbed NO₂ groups with neighboring oxidized sites yielding O₂.     

N2O decomposition over K-promoted Co-Al catalysts prepared from hydrotalcite-like precursors

N₂O decomposition was investigated over a series of K-promoted Co-Al catalysts. The activity tests showed that doping with K greatly enhanced the catalytic activity of the Co-Al catalyst, and the enhancement was critically dependent on the amount of K and the calcination temperature. When the catalyst had a K/Co atomic ratio of 0.04 and was calcined at 700–800 °C, a full N₂O conversion could be reached at a reaction temperature of 300 °C. Moreover, even under the simultaneous presence of 4% O₂ and 2.6% water vapor, such high-temperature treated K/Co-Al catalyst exhibited high reactivity and stability, with the N₂O conversion remaining at a constant value of 92% over 40 h run at 360 °C. In contrast, non-doped Co-Al catalyst showed a severe activity loss under such reaction conditions. A combination of characterization techniques was employed to reveal the promoting role of K and the effect of calcination temperature. The results suggest that doping with K increases the electron density of Co and weakens the Co–O bond, thus promoting the activation of N₂O on the Co sites and facilitating the desorption of oxygen from the catalyst surface. High-temperature calcinations made the desorption of O₂ proceed more readily.     

Preparation and Pretreatment Temperature Influence on Iron Species Distribution and N2O Decomposition in Fe–ZSM-5

Fe–ZSM-5 catalysts are prepared by FeCl₃ sublimation between 320 and 850 °C. The catalysts are characterised by XRD, H₂–TPR, NH₃–TPD, NO adsorption by DRIFTs, and catalytic activity is evaluated for N₂O decomposition. The influence of high temperature (850 °C) and pretreatment environment (air, He, He+H₂O and H₂) on the nature of iron species in Fe–ZSM-5 is further investigated by DRIFTs. High temperature FeCl₃ sublimation results in decreased FeO_x formation, easily reducible and narrow distribution of iron species in close proximity to alumina in Fe–ZSM-5. High temperature FeCl₃ sublimation or pretreatment results in isolated hydroxylated iron species, –Fe(OH)₂, which are not significant in Fe–ZSM-5 prepared by 320 °C FeCl₃ sublimation followed by calcination below 600 °C. Fe–ZSM-5 prepared by high temperature FeCl₃ sublimation show high N₂O decomposition activity and the improved performance can be correlated to –Fe(OH)₂ species in close proximity to alumina.