CATALYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF N2O OVER RHODIUM-LOADED METAL-OXIDES

The catalytic decomposition of dinitrogen oxide to nitrogen and oxygen was studied over various rhodium-loaded metal oxides. Rb/ZnO was foun d to have the highest activity. The effects of metal loading and calci nation conditions upon the catalytic performance were also examined. A n air-pretreated 0.5 wt% Rh/ZnO was found to be the most active cataly st with a reaction rate of 4.0 x 10(4) mu mol (N2O). g(-1)h(-1) under conditions of 950 ppm of N2O and 5% of O-2 at 300 degrees C.