Investigations on the photoluminescence properties of Mo-MCM-41 and the photocatalytic decomposition of NO in the presence of CO

The photocatalytic decomposition of NO into N-2 and CO2 on Mo-MCM-41 was fo und to proceed efficiently in the presence of CO. In situ photoluminescence measurements demonstrated that this reaction proceeds in a redox cycle bet ween alternating Mo6+ and Mo4+ ions. The yields of N-2 formation in the pho tocatalytic reaction correspond with the yields of the photoluminescence of the tetrahedrally coordinated Mo oxide species, indicating that the charge transfer excited triplet state of the tetrahedral Mo oxide species plays a significant role in this reaction, leading to the formation of N-2 and CO2 with a good stoichiometry.