Catalytic decomposition of N2O over supported Rh catalysts:: effects of supports and Rh dispersion

The study of catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide to nitrogen and oxygen over Rh catalysts supported on various supports (USY, NaY, Al2O3, ZrO2, FSM-16, CeO2, La2O3) showed that the activities of Rh/Al2O3 and Rh/USY (ultrastable Y zeolite) catalysts were comparable to or higher than the other catalysts reported in the literatures. The catalytic activity of N2O decomposition was sensitive not only to the Rh dispersion but also to the preparation variables such as the Rh precursors and the supports used. A pulsed N2O experiment over a Rh/USY catalyst suggested that the catalytic N2O decomposition occurs on oxygen-covered surface and that O-2 may be freed on collision of N2O molecules with the adsorbed oxygen atoms. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.