Catalytic reduction of N2O over steam-activated FeZSM-5 zeolite: Comparison of CH4, CO, and their mixtures as reductants with or without excess O2

The catalytic reduction of N₂O by CH₄, CO, and their mixtures has been comparatively investigated over steam-activated FeZSM-5 zeolite. The influence of the molar feed ratio between N₂O and the reducing agents, the gas-hourly space velocity, and the presence of O₂ on the catalytic performance were studied in the temperature range of 475–850 K. The CH₄ is more efficient than CO for N₂O reduction, achieving the same degree of conversion at significantly lower temperatures. The apparent activation energy for N₂O reduction by CH₄ was very similar to that of direct N₂O decomposition (140 kJ mol⁻¹), being much lower for the N₂O reduction by CO (60 kJ mol⁻¹). This suggests that the reactions have a markedly different mechanism. Addition of CO using equimolar mixtures in the ternary N₂O + CH₄ + CO system did not affect the N₂O conversion with respect to the binary N₂O + CH₄ system, indicating that CO does not interfere in the low-temperature reduction of N₂O by CH₄. In the ternary system, CO contributed to N₂O reduction when methane was the limiting reactant. The conversion and selectivity of the reactions of N₂O with CH₄, CO, and their mixtures were not altered upon adding excess O₂ in the feed.     

The heterogeneous catalytic reduction of NO and N2O mixture by carbon monoxide

Kinetics of the simultaneous reduction N₂O and NO by CO on CuCo₂O₄ has been studied. The reactants are adsorbed onto the coordination-unsaturated cations of the catalyst. The studies showed that the reactions of N₂O and CO and of NO and CO occur between the adsorbed reactants on the catalyst surface; the catalyst surface is partially reduced during both these reactions. It was found that NO inhibits the reaction between N₂O and CO, because N₂O and NO compete for the active surface sites. The adsorption capacity of the catalyst is significantly higher for NO than for N₂O and hence NO displaces N₂Oads from the surface. The inhibition occurs on strongly localized sites and does not affect on the behaviour of the remaining free sites. At such blockage, the N₂O reduction rate decreases in direct proportion to the amount of adsorbed NO.     

Conversion of N2O to N2 on TiO2(1 1 0)

In this study, we examine the interaction of N₂O with TiO₂(1 1 0) in an effort to better understand the conversion of NO_x species to N₂ over TiO₂-based catalysts. The TiO₂(1 1 0) surface was chosen as a model system because this material is commonly used as a support and because oxygen vacancies on this surface are perhaps the best available models for the role of electronic defects in catalysis. Annealing TiO₂(1 1 0) in vacuum at high temperature (above about 800 K) generates oxygen vacancy sites that are associated with reduced surface cations (Ti³⁺ sites) and that are easily quantified using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of water. Using TPD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), we found that the majority of N₂O molecules adsorbed at 90 K on TiO₂(1 1 0) are weakly held and desorb from the surface at 130 K. However, a small fraction of the N₂O molecules exposed to TiO₂(1 1 0) at 90 K decompose to N₂ via one of two channels, both of which are vacancy-mediated. One channel occurs at 90 K, and results in N₂ ejection from the surface and vacancy oxidation. We propose that this channel involves N₂O molecules bound at vacancies with the O-end of the molecule in the vacancy. The second channel results from an adsorbed state of N₂O that decomposes at 170 K to liberate N₂ in the gas phase and deposit oxygen adatoms at non-defect Ti⁴⁺ sites. The presence of these O adatoms is clearly evident in subsequent water TPD measurements. We propose that this channel involves N₂O molecules that are bound at vacancies with the N-end of the molecule in the vacancy, which permits the O-end of the molecule to interact with an adjacent Ti⁴⁺ site. The partitioning between these two channels is roughly 1:1 for adsorption at 90 K, but neither is observed to occur for moderate N₂O exposures at temperatures above 200 K. EELS data indicate that vacancies readily transfer charge to N₂O at 90 K, and this charge transfer facilitates N₂O decomposition. Based on these results, it appears that the decomposition of N₂O to N₂ requires trapping of the molecule at vacancies and that the lifetime of the N₂O–vacancy interaction may be key to the conversion of N₂O to N₂.     

Mechanistic insights into the formation of N2O and N2 in NO reduction by NH3 over a polycrystalline platinum catalyst

The reaction pathways of N₂ and N₂O formation in the direct decomposition and reduction of NO by NH₃ were investigated over a polycrystalline Pt catalyst between 323 and 973 K by transient experiments using the temporal analysis of products (TAP-2) reactor. The interaction between nitric oxide and ammonia was studied in the sequential pulse mode applying ¹⁵NO. Differently labelled nitrogen and nitrous oxide molecules were detected. In both, direct NO decomposition and NH₃–NO interaction, N₂O formation was most marked between 573 and 673 K, whereas N₂ formation dominated at higher temperatures. An unusual interruption of nitrogen formation in the ¹⁵NO pulse at 473 K was caused by an inhibiting effect of adsorbed NO species. The detailed analysis of the product distribution at this temperature clearly indicates different reaction pathways leading to the product formation. Nitrogen formation occurs via recombination of nitrogen atoms formed by dissociation of nitric oxide or/and complete dehydrogenation of ammonia. N₂O is formed via recombination of adsorbed NO molecules. Additionally, both products are formed via interactions between adsorbed ammonia fragments and nitric oxide.     

Fourier transform IR study of NOx adsorption on a CuZSM-5 DeNOx catalyst

The adsorption and coadsorption of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactants and reaction products on CuZSM-5-37 containing 11 wt.-% CuO have been studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The catalyst surface is characterized by both weak acidity and weak basicity as revealed by testing with probe molecules (CO₂, NH₃, H₂O). NO₂ adsorption results in formation of different kinds of nitrates. The same species are formed when NO is coadsorbed with oxygen at 180°C. NO adsorption at ambient temperature also leads to formation of nitrates as well as of Cu²⁺NO species. In the presence of oxygen the latter are converted according to the scheme: NO → N₂O₃ → N₂O₄ → NO₂ → NO₃. It is concluded that the surface nitrates are important intermediates in the SCR process. They are thermally stable and resistant towards interaction with CO₂, N₂, O₂, and are only slightly affected by H₂O and NO. However, they posses a high oxidation ability and are fully reduced by propane at 180°C. It is concluded that one of the most important roles of oxygen in SCR by hydrocarbons is to convert NO_x into highly active surface nitrates.     

Kinetic analysis of N2O decomposition over calcined hydrotalcites

Kinetics of N₂O decomposition over catalyst prepared by calcination of Co–Mn hydrotalcite was examined in integral fixed-bed reactor () at various N₂O and O₂ initial partial pressure at temperature range of 330–450 °C. Kinetic data were evaluated by linear and non-linear regression method, 15 kinetic expressions were tested. Based on the obtained results a redox model of N₂O decomposition was proposed. At low pressures of O₂, adsorbed oxygen is formed by the N₂O decomposition; the N₂O chemisorption is considered as the rate-determining step. On the contrary, at high O₂ pressure it could be assumed that adsorbed oxygen species appear as a result of O₂ adsorption and the Eley–Rideal mechanism is the rate determining. N₂O decomposition is well described by the 1st rate law at N₂O and O₂ concentrations typical for waste gases.     

Micro-kinetic analysis of direct N2O decomposition over steam-activated Fe-silicalite from transient experiments in the TAP reactor

Mechanistic and kinetic aspects of the direct decomposition of N₂O over steam-activated Fe-silicalite were investigated by transient experiments in vacuum (N₂O peak pressure of ca. 10 Pa) using the temporal analysis of products (TAP) reactor in the temperature range of 773–848 K. The transient responses of N₂O, N₂, and O₂ obtained upon N₂O decomposition were fitted to different micro-kinetic models. Through model discrimination it was concluded that both free iron sites and iron sites with adsorbed mono-atomic oxygen (*O) species are active for N₂O decomposition. Oxygen formation occurs via decomposition of bi-atomic (*O₂) oxygen species adsorbed over the iron site. This bi-atomic oxygen species originates from another bi-atomic oxygen species (O*O), which is initially formed via interaction of N₂O with iron site possessing mono-atomic oxygen species (*O). Based on our modeling, the recombination of two mono-atomic oxygen (*O) species or direct O₂ formation via reaction of N₂O with *O can be excluded as potential reaction pathways yielding gas-phase O₂. The simulation results predict that the overall rate of N₂O decomposition is controlled by regeneration of free iron sites via a multi-step oxygen formation at least below 700 K.     

Nitrous oxide formation in low temperature selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with V2O5/TiO2 catalysts

Nitric oxide and nitric dioxide compounds (NO_x) present in stack gases from nitric acid plants are usually eliminated by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia. In this process, small quantities of nitrous oxide (N₂O) are produced. This undesirable molecule has a high greenhouse gas potential and a long lifetime in the atmosphere, where it can contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion. The influence of catalyst composition and some operating variables were evaluated in terms of N₂O formation, using V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts. High vanadia catalyst loading, nitric oxide inlet concentration and reaction temperature increase the generation of this undesirable compound. The results suggest that adsorbed ammonia not only reacts with NO via SCR, but also with small quantities of oxygen activated by the presence of NO. The mechanism proposed for N₂O generation at low temperature is based on the formation of surface V–ON species which may be produced by the partial oxidation of dissociatively adsorbed ammonia species with NO + O₂ (eventually NO₂). When these active sites are in close proximity they can interact to form an N₂O molecule. This mechanism seems to be affected by changes in the active site density produced by increasing the catalyst vanadia loading.     

Low temperature decomposition of nitrous oxide over Fe/ZSM-5: Modelling of the dynamic behaviour

The kinetics of N₂O decomposition to gaseous nitrogen and oxygen over HZSM-5 catalysts with low content of iron (<400 ppm) under transient and steady-state conditions was investigated in the temperature range of 250–380 °C. The catalysts were prepared from the HZSM-5 with Fe in the framework upon steaming at 550 °C followed by thermal activation in He at 1050 °C. The N₂O decomposition began at 280 °C. The reaction kinetics was first order towards N₂O during the transient period, and of zero order under steady-state conditions. The increase of the reaction rate with time (autocatalytic behaviour) was observed up to the steady state. This increase was assigned to the catalysis by adsorbed NO formed slowly on the zeolite surface from N₂O. The formation of NO was confirmed by temperature-programmed desorption at temperatures >360 °C. The amount of surface NO during the transient increases with the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the N₂O concentration in the gas phase up to a maximum value. The maximum amount of surface NO was found to be independent on the temperature and N₂O concentration in the gas phase. This leads to a first-order N₂O decomposition during the transient period, and to a zero-order under steady state. A kinetic model is proposed for the autocatalytic reaction. The simulated concentration–time profiles were consistent with the experimental data under transient as well as under steady-state conditions giving a proof for the kinetic model suggested in this study.     

Nitrous oxide processing by a combination of gliding and microwave discharges

Non-thermal plasma of microwave discharge coupled with gliding discharge was applied to convert nitrous oxide. The experiments were carried out using air or oxygen as carrier gases for N₂O (5%). The overall rates of nitrous oxide conversion determined for the N₂O + air mixture were slightly higher than those for N₂O + oxygen. No significant effect of the carrier gas (air or oxygen) on the rate of N₂O → NO conversion was observed. The effect of the power of the microwave discharge and gas flow rate (air) on the overall rate of nitrous oxide conversion and rate of N₂O conversion to NO was studied. The increase of the gas flow rate from 200 to 400 N l/h resulted in an increase of the N₂O conversion rates both overall (r) and to NO (r_NO). For 400 N l/h, both rates were higher by about 80–100% than those determined in the experiments performed with 200 N l/h.     

Role of active oxygen transients in selective catalytic reduction of N2O with CH4 over Fe-zeolite catalysts

Sharp NO and O₂ desorption peaks, which were caused by the decomposition of nitro and nitrate species over Fe species, were observed in the range of 520–673 K in temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) from Fe-MFI after H₂ treatment at 773 K or high-temperature (HT) treatment at 1073 K followed by N₂O treatment. The amounts of O₂ and NO desorption were dependent on the pretreatment pressure of N₂O in the H₂ and N₂O treatment. The adsorbed species could be regenerated by the H₂ and N₂O treatment after TPD, and might be considered to be active oxygen species in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of N₂O with CH₄. However, the reaction rate of CH₄ activation by the adsorbed species formed after the H₂ and N₂O or the HT and N₂O treatment was not so high as that of the CH₄ + N₂O reaction over the catalyst after O₂ treatment. The simultaneous presence of CH₄ and N₂O is essential for the high activity of the reaction, which suggests that nascent oxygen species formed by N₂O dissociation can activate CH₄ in the SCR of N₂O with CH₄.     

Promotion of the catalytic activity of a Ag/Al2O3 catalyst for the N2O + CO reaction by the addition of Rh a comparative activity tests and kinetic study

Preliminary activity tests show a synergic effect on the yield of the N₂O+CO reaction by the addition of small quantities of rhodium in a Ag/Al₂O₃ catalyst. An analytical comparative kinetic study over Rh/Al₂O₃, Ag/Al₂O₃ and Rh-Ag/Al₂O₃ was performed in order to explain this effect. The reaction kinetics seems to follow a L–H mechanism with competitive adsorption of N₂O and CO over the rhodium catalyst, where a strong CO inhibition effect was obvious. On the two other catalysts (silver and mixed) a L–H mechanism with the reactants adsorbed in different active sites seems to be followed. The kinetic, adsorption and thermodynamic constants were calculated and compared. From the results it seems that the synergic effect is connected with an increase of the activity of rhodium since silver offers more active sites for CO adsorption and removes the inhibition effect, while rhodium offers more active sites for both reactants to be adsorbed. The above findings show that there are no strong interactions (e.g. alloying) between silver and rhodium for the catalyst prepared by the method and active constituents concentrations of this study.     

Low-pressure chemical and photochemical reactions of oxides of nitrogen on alumina taken as a model substance for mineral dust in relation to air pollution

The interaction of γ-Al₂O₃, taken as a model substance of tropospheric mineral dust, with N₂O, NO and NO₂ has been studied using kinetic and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) mass-spectrometry in presence and absence of UV irradiation. At low surface coverages (<0.001 ML), adsorption of N₂O and NO₂ is accompanied by dissociation and chemiluminescence, whereas adsorption of NO does not lead to appreciable dissociation. Upon UV irradiation of Al₂O₃ in a flow of N₂O, photoinduced decomposition and desorption of N₂O take place, whereas in a flow of NO, only photoinduced desorption is observed. Dark dissociative adsorption of N₂O and NO and photoinduced N₂O dissociation apparently occur by a mechanism involving electron capture from surface F- and F⁺-centers. Photoinduced desorption of N₂O and NO may be associated with decomposition of complexes of these molecules with Lewis acid sites, V-centers or OH-groups. TPD of N₂O and NO proceeds predominantly without decomposition, while NO₂ partially decomposes to NO and O₂.     

基于沸石ZSM-5的CH4/N2/CO2二元体系吸附平衡

采用Rubotherm磁悬浮天平测量CH₄、N₂和CO₂在沸石ZSM-5上的单组分吸附平衡等温线,温度273～353 K,压力0～500 kPa。采用Sips模型、Toth模型和MSL模型对单组分吸附平衡实验数据进行拟合,拟合结果良好,非线性回归得到相应的模型参数。测量双组分CO₂/N₂、CO₂/CH₄和CH₄/N₂在沸石ZSM-5上的竞争吸附平衡等温线,实验温度为293 K,实验压力为0～500 kPa。采用基于Sips模型的理想吸附溶液理论和双组分MSL模型预测双组分气体在沸石ZSM-5上的竞争吸附平衡等温线,并与实验结果进行比较,预测结果良好。比较CO₂/N₂、CO₂/CH₄以及CH₄/N₂体系在沸石ZSM-5上的竞争吸附选择性系数,探究沸石ZSM-5吸附分离烟道气（CO₂/N₂体系）、垃圾填埋气（CO₂/CH₄体系）或煤层气（CH₄/N₂体系）的可行性,为将来进行工艺设计提供基础数据。     

Temperature programmed desorption study of adsorbed species formed by the decomposition of N2O on ion-exchanged copper zeolite catalysts

The nature of the adsorbed species on Cu-ZSM-5 (Cu-Z), Cu-Mordenite (Cu-M), and Cu-Y-zeolite (Cu-Y) was investigated by means of temperature programmed desorption (TPD). When dinitrogen monoxide (N₂O) came into contact with Cu-zeolites above 573 K, the decomposition of N₂O occurred accompanied by the formation of adsorbed oxygen species and adsorbed nitrogen oxide species. In the TPD runs, three O₂ desorption peaks appeared at temperatures of 623, 673, and 753 K and were named -, β-, and γ-peaks, respectively. The O₂ desorption at the - and γ-peaks became quickly saturated after contacting N₂O at 598 K, while the amount of O₂ desorbed at the β-peak increased with time, not reaching a constant level until 120 min of exposure. The activity for the decomposition of N₂O decreased with the accumulation of β-oxygen over the catalyst. The rate of N₂O decomposition depended upon the nature and amount of the copper zeolite catalysts available, as determined by the formation of - and/or β-oxygen.     

A new insight in the unusual adsorption properties of Cu cations in Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite

ZSM-5 zeolites modified with Cu⁺ ions were prepared either by the high-temperature chemical reaction of hydrogen form with CuCl vapour or by the wet ion exchange with subsequent reduction of the modified samples in CO at 873 K. Adsorption of H₂, N₂ or C₂H₆ by Cu⁺ ions was studied by DRIFTS and by volumetric technique. The conclusions about the structure of adsorption complexes were supported by the DFT cluster quantum chemical calculations. The obtained results indicated that in addition to the previously reported strong adsorption of nitrogen, the univalent copper also unusually strongly adsorbs molecular hydrogen and ethane. Adsorption of hydrogen is the most amazing since the observed low-frequency shifts of the HH stretching vibrations were as high as about 1000 cm⁻¹. This is quite different from much weaker H₂ perturbation by Cu²⁺ cations. Adsorption of ethane by Cu⁺ ions also resulted in the low-frequency shifts of some of CH IR stretching bands up to 400 cm⁻¹. The DFT cluster modelling indicated that both adsorption of hydrogen and ethane could be explained by interaction with the isolated Cu⁺ ions localized at the sites of the ZSM-5 framework. Quantum chemical calculations indicated the important role in the bonding of adsorbed hydrogen and ethane of electron back donation from d_π-orbitals of Cu⁺ ions to the σ^*HH or CH orbitals. The overall yield of Cu⁺ sites of the strong H₂ or N₂ adsorption is about twice lower than the total copper content.     

MIL-101Cr-F/Cl用于N2O的捕集研究

氧化亚氮（N₂O）是仅次于CO₂和CH₄的第三大温室气体,对其捕集具有资源回收和减排温室气体的双重价值。本文通过添加氢氟酸和盐酸合成了末端具有不同阴离子的MIL-101Cr材料：MIL-101（Cr）-F和MIL-101（Cr）-Cl,通过XRD、BET、SEM等对样品进行了表征,测试并分析了两种样品对N₂O和N₂的吸附性能,进行了选择性和吸附热的计算以及混合气体的穿透模拟。研究结果表明,MIL-101（Cr）-Cl拥有目前最高的N₂O吸附容量（6.43 mmol/g,298 K）和N₂O/N₂选择性（267）,混合气体（N₂O/N₂=0.1%/99.9%）穿透模拟结果显示MIL-101（Cr）-Cl具有更加优异的微量N₂O捕获能力。     

Contribution to the mechanism of NO reduction by CO over Pt/NaX zeolite

The reaction of NO + CO was studied over Pt/NaX prepared by the decomposition of [Pt(NH₃)₄]²⁺. The decomposition was carried out via calcination followed by reduction, by vacuum decomposition, and by decomposition in hydrogen, by ways which are known to lead to the formation of Pt clusters of different sizes and location. The NO reduction by CO was studied under static conditions for longer (20–30 min) and shorter (100 s) time intervals, and the reaction was followed by temperature programmed decomposition (TPD) of species adsorbed during the preceding isothermal reactions. The effect of various NO/CO ratios and of added oxygen was examined. The reactions of N₂O + CO were compared with those of NO + CO. The increasing size of Pt clusters enhances the reduction of NO by CO, but it is complicated at lower reaction temperatures (below 230°C) by the poisoning of active Pt centres, especially by adsorbed CO. Smaller Pt clusters exhibit higher preference towards NO adsorption from NO + CO mixtures than the larger Pt clusters. The incomplete reduction of NO to N₂O proceeds under our experimental conditions below 230°C, and is accompanied by the formation of adsorbed species. N₂O formation is enhanced by the increased NO/CO ratio and by the addition of oxygen. The reduction of nitrous oxide occurs much slower than that of nitric oxide, and therefore N₂O could play a role only as a surface intermediate in the CO + NO reaction.     

Elucidation of a preparation method for copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5 samples exhibiting extremely efficient N2-adsorption at room temperature: effect of counter ions in the exchange solution

The adsorption of N₂ on a copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5 sample (CuZSM-5) prepared by ion exchange using an aqueous solution of copper propionate, Cu(C₂H₅COO)₂, was examined at room temperature by measuring the FT-IR spectra, adsorption isotherms and heat of adsorption. This sample was found to be extremely efficient in terms of N₂ adsorption with regard to both the amount and the energy (i.e., heat) of adsorption, compared with samples prepared by a conventional ion-exchange method using an aqueous solution involving Cu²⁺ and simple counter ions, Cl⁻ or NO₃⁻. To clarify the specificity of the newly-prepared sample, the ion-exchange of ZSM-5 with Cu²⁺ was carried out by employing aqueous solutions involving Cu²⁺ and various types of counter ions [propionate (C₂H₅COO⁻), acetate (CH₃COO⁻), formate (HCOO⁻), chloride (Cl⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions]. When the ion exchange was performed by using a Cu(C₂H₅COO)₂ or Cu(CH₃COO)₂ solution, the Cu²⁺ species with propionate or acetate ligand (in the monomer state) were ion-exchanged in ZSM-5, as confirmed by the DR, EPR and FT-IR spectra for CuZSM-5. In contrast, Cu²⁺ species were present in the form of aquo-complexes in samples prepared with other solutions. This distinct difference can be ascribed to the difference in the pK_a values of the counter ions; carboxylate ions, with a high pK_a value, are inclined to form a complex with Cu²⁺. Using this newly applied Cu(C₂H₅COO)₂ solution, the present ion-exchange method has the potential to develop new effective materials that possess the specific adsorption and catalytic properties of CuZSM-5.