Direct catalytic decomposition of N2O over Co(x)/RPSA catalysts

As one of the main greenhouse gases, reducing emissions of N2O is imperative, for which catalytic decomposition is one of the most effective methods. A series of cobalt catalysts supported on RPSA zeolite, denoted as Co(x)/RPSA-T, were prepared using the impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurements, thermogravimetric mass spectrometry (TG–MS), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Catalytic activity tests for N2O decomposition were carried out in a fixed-bed microreactor. The results showed that the redox properties of the catalysts remarkably influenced their catalytic performance. The catalytic activity results for the Co(10)/RPSA-600 catalyst showed the best performance under the conditions of 0.65 vol% N2O, 0.88 vol% O2, with Ar as balance gas, achieving conversions of 10 % and 90 % of N2O at temperature of 348 °C and 438 °C, respectively.