Catalytic decomposition of N2O over supported rhodium catalysts: high activities of Rh/USY and Rh/Al2O3 and the effect of Rh precursors

The catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide to nitrogen and oxygen has been studied over Al₂O₃-supported and zeolite-supported Rh catalysts. The activities of Rh/Al₂O₃ and Rh/USY (ultrastable Y zeolite) catalysts prepared from Rh(NO₃)₃ were higher than those of Rh/ZSM-5 and Rh/ZnO reported in the literature, while the activity of a Rh/Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared from RhCl₃ was suppressed severely in spite of the high H/Rh and CO/Rh values. The catalytic activity of N₂O decomposition was sensitive not only to the Rh dispersion but also to the preparation variables such as the Rh precursors and the supports used. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.