CATALYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF NITROUS-OXIDE ON METAL EXCHANGED ZEOLITES

The catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide to nitrogen and oxygen was studied over a number of catalysts. Copper and cobalt exchanged ZSM-5, mordenite, zeolite beta, ZSM-11 and ferrierite are much more active than other cation-exchanged zeolites (Cu-Y, Co-Y, Co-erionite, Cu-L, Co-L, Ni-ZSM-5, Mn-ZSM-5) and metal oxides (CuO/Al2O3, and CoO/Al2O3). For noble metal catalysts, a cation exchanged ZSM-5 has higher activity than the Al2O3 supported form. Rhodium is the most active catalyst, but surprisingly Pt-ZSM-5 is one of the least active catalysts of all. Also, the effects of oxygen and nitric oxide addition, metal loading, and pretreatment upon the catalyst activity were evaluated.