Catalytic Decomposition of NO by Cationic Platinum Oxide Cluster Pt₃O₄

The catalytic decomposition of NO by cationic platinum oxide cluster Pt₃O₄⁺ was investigated by mass spectrometry and thermal desorption spectrometry. Upon reaction with two NO molecules, molecular oxygen desorbed from the cluster at room temperature to form Pt₃O₄N₂⁺. Then, at temperatures above 400 K, desorption of N₂ from Pt₃O₄N₂⁺ was observed. These processes were confirmed by isotope-labeling experiments, and the energetics of O₂ and N₂ release were determined by density functional calculations. The combination of these elementary steps resulted in the catalytic decomposition of NO by Pt₃O₄⁺.