SIMULTANEOUS CATALYTIC REACTION OF O2 AND NO WITH CO AND SOLID CARBON

Notwithstanding its thermodynamic instability and associated strong oxidation potential nitric oxide reacts slower with carbon than does oxygen. Both reactions are catalyzed by iron oxide but the sequence of the reactions remains the same. When a dilute mixture of CO, O2 and NO in helium is passed over a catalyst consisting of iron oxide supported on carbon a characteristic selectivity in the overall process is observed. The oxygen reacts catalytically with the solid carbon while the nitric oxide reacts, also catalytically, on the surface of the iron oxide with the gaseous carbon monoxide. In this system as well, the oxygen reacts faster than the nitric oxide. © 1969.