Small CuO clusters on CeO2 nanospheres as active species for catalytic N2O decomposition

Abstract

High surface area CeO2 nanospheres as an active catalyst support were synthesized using glycothermal approach. Different loadings of copper (4, 6, 10 and 15wt.%) were supported by wet impregnation method. Prepared materials were characterized by means of TEM, SEM-EDX, XRD, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance, N2 adsorption/desorption, DRIFT and H2-TPR techniques, and tested for the catalytic reaction of nitrous oxide decomposition. The best activity in the N2O degradation was found for the sample containing 10wt.% of Cu that can be attributed to the highest number of small CuO clusters on the catalyst surface. Further increase of copper content strongly affects the dispersion and leads to the formation of less active segregated CuO phase, which was confirmed by XRD, UV-Vis and H2-TPR results. Accordingly to UV–Vis examination and DRIFT analysis using CO as a probe molecule, all solids contain Cu+1 ions which play a crucial role in the N2O decomposition mechanism. The synthesized catalysts were also tested in wet or NO containing atmospheres, where an inhibiting effect takes place and leads to shifting of conversion profiles to higher temperature by 65 and 10°C, correspondingly. It was found out that the formation of a new, crystalline CuO·3H2O phase occurs in water vapour containing atmosphere, which can result in catalyst deactivation. However, this effect is fully reversible and the catalyst is able to replenish initial activity in dry atmosphere. Potentiality of CuO/CeO2 materials in catalytic N2O decomposition in industrial processes was confirmed by long-term stability tests performed in the period of 50h in the presence of inhibiting gas components.