N₂O decomposition over K/Na-promoted Mg/Zn-Ce-cobalt mixed oxides catalysts

Three groups of cobalt mixed oxide catalysts (Mg/Zn-Co, Mg/Zn-Ce-C, K/Na-Mg/Zn-Ce-Co) were prepared by sol-gel or impregnation methods. The synergistic effects of transition metal, rare earth metal and alkali metal on cobalt mixed catalysts for nitrous oxide (N₂O) decomposing to N₂ and O₂ were investigated. The experimental results revealed that the catalytic activity for N₂O decomposition was promoted as Co²⁺ was replaced partially by Zn²⁺/Mg²⁺, moreover, the characterization analysis by XRD and XPS showed that Zn²⁺/Mg²⁺ replaced Co²⁺ successfully into the spinel structure of Co3O₄ and promoted significantly the catalytic activity. Especially, the addition of CeO₂ and K₂O/Na₂O decreased the binding energy and resulted in an increase in the density of the electron cloud around Co and an improvement of the catalytic activity. Of the investigated cobalt mixed catalysts, the best catalytic activity was shown by 2% K-Zn0.5-Ce0.05-Co catalyst.