AN XPS study of the interaction of model Ba/TiO2 AND Ba/ZrO2 NSR catalysts with NO2

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to study the interaction of model NO2 storage-reduction catalysts (NSR catalysts) Ba/TiO2 and Ba/ZrO2 with NO2. The catalysts are prepared on the surface of ultrathin Al2O3 film substrates obtained by the FeCrAl alloy oxidation. It is shown that at room temperature the model catalysts react with NO2 with the successive formation of surface barium nitrite and nitrate. The NO2 reduction with the formation of barium nitrite at the initial step of the interaction is assumed to be accompanied by the oxidation of residual metallic barium and amorphous carbon impurity. It is found that the formation of barium nitrate proceeds more efficiently on Ba/ZrO2 rather than on Ba/TiO2.