Studies of Ni—Cu catalysts with parallel chemisorption of O 2 and decomposition of N 2O

Abstract

Chemisorption of molecular oxygen and decomposition of nitrous oxide on Ni—Cu powders and (Ni—Cu)/γ-Al 2O 3 catalysts were studied. O 2 is chemisorbed on Ni—Cu alloys similarly to on Ni powder. Decomposition of N 3O depends on the composition of the Ni—Cu alloy surface; it proceeds similarly on nickel or on copper for Cu surface concentrations, expressed as Cu surface atomic fractions, below and above ~0.5, respectively. Chemisorption of O 2 and decomposition of N 2O may be used for the determination of metal surface area and for monitoring the surface composition of Ni—Cu alloys, respectively.