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 NH(3) were used for the characterization of the samples. The modified mesoporous silicas were tested as catalysts of the N(2)O decomposition and the N(2)O reduction using ammonia and methane. The Cu-containing samples presented the highest catalytic activity in the N(2)O decomposition, while the Cr- and Fe-modified materials were more active in the reduction of nitrous oxide with NH(3) and CH(4). The type of the silica support strongly influenced the catalytic performance of the studied materials.