Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2015, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (11): 1837-1845.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(15)60963-9

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The role of alkali promoters in enhancing the direct N2O decomposition reactivity over NiO catalysts

Bahaa M. Abu-Zieda,b,c, Abdullah M. Asiria,c   

  1. a Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research (CEAMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
    b Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt;
    c Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
  • Received:2015-05-05 Revised:2015-08-21 Online:2015-11-02 Published:2015-11-02

Abstract:

Direct N2O decomposition has been investigated over bare NiO and a series of its alkali-promoted catalysts. These catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy. XPS analysis revealed that surface nickel is present in three forms: metal particles, NiO and Ni(OH)2. It is suggested that nickel(0) valent atoms are essential for the interaction with N2O molecules at the catalyst surfaces. Bare NiO exhibited a very low N2O decomposition reactivity. However, the alkali-containing catalysts exhibited a marked activity enhancement.

Key words: N2O decomposition, Greenhouse gas, NiO, Alkali-promotion, Activity enhancement