Effect of oxygen on decomposition of nitrous oxide over various metal oxide catalysts

The inhibitory effect of oxygen on decomposition of nitrous oxide over vari ous metal oxide catalysts was investigated. The activity of nitrous oxide d ecomposition significantly decreased over CuO, Co3O4, NiO, Fe2O3, SnO2, In2 O3 and Cr2O3 by reversible adsorption of oxygen onto the active sites. On t he contrary to this, there was no or small change in the activity of TiO2, Al2O3, MgO, La2O3 and CaO. A good correlation was observed between the degr ee of inhibition and the heat of formation of metal oxides. On the basis of kinetic model, the reduction of catalytic activity in the presence of oxyg en was rationalized with the strength of oxygen adsorption on the metal oxi de surface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.