Catalytic decomposition of N2O and catalytic reduction of N2O and N2O + NO by NH3 in the presence of O2 over Fe-zeolite

The decomposition of N2O, and the catalytic reduction by NH3 of N2O and N2O + NO, have been studied on Fe-BEA, -ZSM-5 and -FER catalysts. These catalysts were prepared by classical ion exchange and characterized by TPR after various activation treatments. Fe-FER is the most active material in the catalytic decomposition because “oxo-species” reducible at low temperature, appearing upon interaction of FeII-zeolite with N2O (α-oxygen), are formed in largest amounts with this material. The decomposition of N2O is promoted by addition of NH3, and even more with NH3 + NO in the case of Fe-FER and -BEA. It is proposed that the NO-promoted reduction of N2O originated from the fast surface reaction between α-oxygen O∗ and NO∗ to yield NO2∗, which in turn reacts immediately with NH3.