Catalytic behavior of La-Sr-Ce-Fe-O mixed oxidic/perovskitic systems for the NO plus CO and NO+CH4+O-2 (lean-NOx) reactions

Mixed oxides of the general formula La0.5SrxCeyFeO2 were prepared by using the nitrate method and characterized by XRD and mossbauer techniques. The c rystal phases detected were perovskites LaFeO3 and SrFeO3-x and oxides alph a-Fe2O3 and CeO2 depending on x and y values. The low surface area ceramic materials have been tested for the NO+CO and NO+CH4+O-2 ("lean-NOx") reacti ons in the temperature range 250-550 degrees C, A noticeable enhancement in NO conversion was achieved by the substitution of La3+ cation at A-site wi th divalent Sr+2 and tetravalent Ce+4 cations. Comparison of the activity o f the present and other perovskite-type materials has pointed out that the ability of the La0.5SrxCeyFeO2 materials to reduce NO by CO or by CH4 under "lean-NOx " conditions is very satisfying. In particular, for the NO+CO re action estimation of turnover frequencies (TOFs, s(-1)) at 300 degrees C (b ased on NO chemisorption) revealed values comparable to Rh/alpha-Al2O3 cata lyst. This is an important result considering the current tendency for repl acing the very active but expensive Ph and Pt metals. It was found that the re is a direct correlation between the percentage of crystal phases contain ing iron in La0.5SrxCeyFeOz solids and their catalytic activity. O-2 TPD (t emperature-programmed desorption) and NO TPD studies confirmed that the cat alytic activity for both tested reactions is related to the defect position s in the lattice of the catalysts (e.g., oxygen vacancies, cationic defects ). Additionally, a remarkable oscillatory behavior during O-2 TPD studies w as observed for the La0.5ST0.2Ce0.3FeOz and La0.5Sr0.5FeOZ solids. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.