Mechanism of framework oxygen exchange in Fe-zeolites: a combined DFT and mass spectrometry study

The role of framework oxygen atoms in N(2)O decomposition [N(2)O(g)→N(2)(g) and 1/2O(2)(g)] over Fe-ferrierite is investigated employing a combined experimental (N(2)(18)O decomposition in batch experiments followed by mass spectroscopy measurements) and theoretical (density functional theory calculations) approach. The occurrence of the isotope exchange indicates that framework oxygen atoms are involved in the N(2)O decomposition catalyzed by Fe-ferrierite. Our study, using an Fe-ferrierite sample with iron exclusively present as Fe(II) cations accommodated in the cationic sites, shows that the mobility of framework oxygen atoms in the temperature range: 553 to 593 K is limited to the four framework oxygen atoms of the two AlO(4)(-) tetrahedra forming cationic sites that accomodate Fe(II). They exchange with the Fe extra-framework (18)O atom originating from the decomposed N(2)(18)O. We found, using DFT calculations, that O(2) molecules facilitate the oxygen exchange. However, the corresponding calculated energy barrier of 87 kcal  mol(-1) is still very high and it is higher than the assumed experimental value based on the occurrence of the sluggish oxygen exchange at 553 K.