Thermal decomposition properties of guanidine nitrate and basic cupric nitrate

Characterized with a large gas production and low combustion temperature, the guanidine nitrate (GN) gas-generating agents are studied and applied widely. The determination factors of thermal decomposition properties of guanidine nitrate and basic cupric nitrate (GN/BCN) gas-generating agents for airbag application was investigated by the thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry–mass spectrmetry–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-DSC-MS-FTIR) and automatic calorimeter. Five different mass ratios were concerned. Our study showed that the onset reaction temperatures of GN/BCN mixtures were lower than that of individual GN and BCN. The thermal decomposition of GN/BCN mixtures could be divided into three stages, including the dissociation and escape of crystal water, solid (GN)-solid (BCN) phase reaction, and liquid (GN)-solid (BCN) phase reaction. When mass ratio of GN/BCN was 62.24/37.73, the largest value of the reaction heat was measured to 3152.7 J g^?1, with N₂ and H₂O as the major gases during thermal decomposition.     

Thermal decomposition of [Cd(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Thermal decomposition of [Cd(NH₃)₆](NO₃)₂ was studied by thermogravimetry (TG) with simultaneous differential thermal analysis (SDTA) for two samples and at two different sets of measurement parameters. The gaseous products of the decomposition were on-line identified by evolved gas analysis (EGA) with a quadruple mass spectrometer (QMS). The decomposition of the title compound proceeds, for both cases, in the three main stages. In the first stage, deammination of [Cd(NH₃)₆](NO₃)₂ to [Cd(NH₃)](NO₃)₂ undergoes by three steps and 5/6 of all NH₃ molecules are liberated. At second stage the liberation of residual 1/6NH₃ molecules and the formation of Cd(NO₃)₂ undergoes. However, during this process simultaneously a two-step oxidation of a part of ammonia molecules also takes place. In a first step as a result a mixture of ammonia, water vapour and nitrogen is formatted. At the second step, subsequent oxidation of a next part of NH₃ molecules undergoes. As a result, a mixture of nitrogen oxide, nitrogen and water vapour is formatted, what for these both steps clearly indicates the EGA analysis. The third stage of the thermal decomposition is connected with the melting and subsequent decomposition of residual Cd(NO₃)₂ to oxygen, nitrogen dioxide and solid CdO. Additionally, third sample was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the results are fully consistent with those obtained by TG.     

Preparation of CuCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanopowders using two different chromium sources

CuCr₂O₄ spinel powders were synthesized starting from different chromium sources, namely (i) chromium oxide (α-Cr₂O₃) and (ii) ammonium dichromate ((NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇). The copper source was a Cu(II) carboxylate-type complex. The Cu(II) carboxylate complex was obtained by the redox reaction between Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3-propanediol (1,3PG) at 130 °C. In the first case (i), we have started from a mixture of α-Cr₂O₃, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3PG that upon heating formed the copper malonate complex, which decomposed around 220 °C forming an oxide mixture (CuO + α-Cr₂O₃). In the second case (ii), (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3PG were homogenously mixed. Heating this mixture at 130 °C resulted, in situ, in the Cu(II) complex. On controlled temperature increase, the violent decomposition of (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ took place at 180 °C along with the decomposition of the Cu(II) complex, leading to an amorphous oxide mixture of Cr₂O_3+x and CuO. By annealing the samples in the temperature range 400–1000 °C, the spinel phase (CuCr₂O₄) was obtained in both cases: (i) at 800 °C and (ii) at 600 °C as a result of the interactions between the precursors used, when the oxide system was amorphous and highly reactive. The presence of CuCr₂O₄ was highlighted by XRD and FTIR analyses.     

Thermal decomposition of gallium nitrate hydrate Ga(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>×<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The thermal decomposition of gallium nitrate hydrate (Ga(NO₃)₃·xH₂O) to gallium oxide has been studied by TG/DTG and DSC measurements performed at different heating rates. It is concluded that 8 water molecules are present in the hydrate compound. The anhydrous gallium nitrate does not form at any temperature as the reaction consists of coupled dehydration/decomposition processes that occur with a mechanism dependent on heating rate. TG measurements performed with isothermal steps (between 31 and 115°C) indicate that Ga(OH)₂NO₃ forms in the first stage of the reaction. Such a compound undergoes further decomposition to Ga(OH)₃ and Ga(NO₃)O, compounds that then decompose respectively to Ga(OH)O and finally to Ga₂O₃ and directly to Ga₂O₃. Diffuse reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (DRIFTIR) has been of help in assessing that the reaction consists of parallel dehydration/decomposition processes.     

XAFS investigation of [Pd(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>][AuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> and its thermolysis products

Thermolysis of double complex salt [Pd(NH₃)₄][AuCl₄]₂ has been studied in helium atmosphere from ambient to 350 °C. The XAFS of Pd K and Au L₃ edges and thermogravimetry measurements have been carried out to characterize the intermediates and the final product. In the temperature range 115–160 °C the complex is decomposed to form Pd(NH₃)₂Cl₂ and AuCl_4−x N _x species with x ranging from 2 to 3. Subsequent heating of the intermediate up to 300 °C leads to the total loss of NH₃. The Au–Cl and Au–Au bonds form the local environment of Au at the stage of decomposition while only four chlorine atoms are around Pd. At the temperature of 330 °C the Au and Pd nanoparticles as well as residues of palladium chloride are detected. The final product consists of separated Au and Pd nanoparticles.     

Low Temperature Plasma Assisted Catalytic Reduction of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> in Simulated Marine Diesel Exhaust

Plasma Assisted Catalytic Reduction (PACR) of NO _x has been investigated at laboratory scale for gas stream compositions representative of marine diesel exhausts. PACR NO _x reduction in excess of 90% was measured at 350°C, a plasma specific energy of 60 J/l and two NO _x concentrations (1,200 and 1,800 ppm). PACR NO _x reduction of over 50% was measured for simulated marine engine conditions at 250°C, 60 J/l and 1,200 ppm NO _x . The performance under these conditions could be increased, achieving a peak of ∼74% NO _x reduction, although at a relatively high plasma power. Water, present in diesel exhaust, was shown to inhibit the poisoning effects of fuel sulphur using SO₂ as a representative exhaust component. The PACR system performance demonstrated tolerance to simulated fuel sulphur levels of up to 1% for the duration of the tests. PACR performance was also shown to be sensitive to the amount of hydrocarbon reductant used.     

Promotional effect of Ce on the SCR of NO with NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> at low temperature over MnO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> supported by nitric acid-modified activated carbon

Different amounts of Mn and Ce oxides were loaded onto nitric acid-modified activated carbon (ACN) by wet impregnation. The series of catalysts were employed for the selective catalytic reduction of NO _x by NH₃ at temperatures between 100 and 250 °C. Cerium-modified catalysts exhibited higher de-NO _x performance than those modified with Mn/ACN, even with the same total loadings. The precursor solution with a molar ratio for Ce/(Mn + Ce) of 0.4 exhibited the highest catalytic activity. Enhanced resistance to SO₂ and H₂O and better stability were observed for 10%Mn–Ce(0.4)/ACN relative to 10%Mn/ACN. The catalysts were further characterized by N₂ physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD). The N₂ physisorption and XRD results suggested that co-doping Ce with Mn increased the surface area and promoted the dispersion of Mn–Ce binary metal oxides. H₂-TPR the NH₃-TPD results demonstrated that the interaction between manganese oxide and cerium oxide species enhanced the redox and surface acidity of 10%Mn–Ce(0.4)/ACN.     

Thermal Decomposition of the System CO(NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>-H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in the Presence of Nitrate Compounds

Chemical, derivatographic, IR spectral, and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to study thermal transformations in the system CO(NH₂)₂-H₃PO₄ and in the same system with addition of KNO₃, CsNO₃, LiNO₃ · 3H₂O, and NH₄NO₃ salts in the temperature range 20–600°C. The influence of the chosen nitrate compounds on the process of reorganization of the constituent ingredients, evolution of nitrogen into the gas phase, yield of the solid residue, and preservation of nitrogen and phosphorus was revealed.     

Insights into the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> over Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>(110): a DFT study coupled with microkinetic analysis

Nitric oxide (NO_x), as one of the main pollutants, can contribute to a series of environmental problems, and to date the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃ in the presence of excess of O₂ over the catalysts has served as one of the most effective methods, in which Mn-based catalysts have been widely studied owing to their excellent low-temperature activity toward NH₃-SCR. However, the related structure-activity relation was not satisfactorily explored at the atomic level. By virtue of DFT+U calculations together with microkinetic analysis, we systemically investigate the selective catalytic reduction process of NO with NH₃ over Mn₃O₄(110), and identify the crucial thermodynamic and kinetic factors that limit the catalytic activity and selectivity. It is found that NH₃ prefers to adsorb on the Lewis acid site and then dehydrogenates into NH₂* assisted by either the two- or three-fold lattice oxygen; NH₂* would then react with the gaseous NO to form an important intermediate NH₂NO that prefers to convert into N₂O rather than N₂ after the sequential dehydrogenation, while the residual H atoms interact with O₂ and left the surface in the form of H₂O. The rate-determining step is proposed to be the coupling reaction between NH₂* and gaseous NO. Regarding the complex surface structure of Mn₃O₄(110), the main active sites are quantitatively revealed to be O_3c and Mn_4c.     

Synthesis characterization and catalytic evaluation of Ni/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> aerogels catalysts

The Ni/ZrO₂/SiO₂ aerogels catalysts were synthesized via three different routes: (i) impregnation ZrO₂–SiO₂ composite aerogels with a aqueous solution of Ni(NO₃)₂, (ii) impregnation SiO₂ aerogels with a mixed aqueous solution of Ni(NO₃)₂ and ZrO(NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O, (iii) one-pot sol–gel procedure from precursors Ni(NO₃)₂/ZrO(NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O/Si(OC₂H₅)₄. These catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The Liquid-phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MA) was performed over these catalysts. The results revealed that the different preparation routes result in a difference between the obtained samples, concerning the crystal structure and composition, surface acidity, mixed level of each component, texture, and catalytic selectivity.     

Thermal properties,phase transitions,vibrational and reorientational dynamics of [Mn(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

[Mn(NH₃)₆](NO₃)₂ crystallizes in the cubic, fluorite (C1) type crystal lattice structure (Fm \( \overline{3} \) m) with a = 11.0056 Å and Z = 4. Two phase transitions of the first-order type were detected. The first registered on DSC curves as a large anomaly at T _C1 ^h  = 207.8 K and T _C1 ^c  = 207.2 K, and the second registered as a smaller anomaly at T _C2 ^h  = 184.4 K and T _C2 ^c  = 160.8 K (where the upper indexes h and c denote heating and cooling of the sample, respectively). The temperature dependence of the full width at half maximum of the band associated with the δ_s(HNH)F_1u mode suggests that the NH₃ ligands in the high temperature and intermediate phase reorientate quickly with correlation times in the order of several picoseconds and with activation energy of 9.9 kJ mol^?1. In the phase transition at T _C2 ^c probably only a some of the NH₃ ligands stop their reorientation, while the remainders continue to reorientate quickly with activation energy of 7.7 kJ mol^?1. Thermal decomposition of the investigated compound starts at 305 K and continues up to 525 K in four main stages (I–IV). In stage I, ²/₆ of all NH₃ ligands were seceded. Stages II and III are connected with an abruption of the next ²/₆ and ¹/₆ of total NH₃, respectively, and [Mn(NH₃)](NO₃)₂ is formed. The last molecule of NH₃ per formula unit is freed at stage IV together with the simultaneous thermal decomposition of the resulting Mn(NO₃)₂ leading to the formation of gaseous products (O₂, H₂O, N₂ and nitrogen oxides) and solid MnO₂.     

Bimetallic Rh-Co/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts for ethanol steam reforming into hydrogen-containing gas

The properties of supported bimetallic Rh-Co/ZrO₂ catalysts in ethanol steam reforming into hydrogen-containing gas were studied. The particles of Rh-Co solid solutions on the catalyst surface were prepared by the thermal decomposition of the double complex salt [Co(NH₃)₆][Rh(NO₂)₆] and the solid solution Na₃[RhCo(NO₂)₆]. It was found that the bimetallic Rh-Co/ZrO₂ catalysts exhibited high activity in the reaction of ethanol steam reforming. The equilibrium composition of reaction products was attained at 500–700°C and a reaction mixture space velocity of 10000 h⁻¹.     

Effect of cerium dioxide on the properties of monolithic CuO-ZnO-CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/cordierite catalysts in methanol decomposition

Cerium dioxide as a component of CuO-ZnO-CeO₂/Al₂O₃/cordierite catalysts stabilizes their action in the decomposition of methanol by preventing carbon deposition on the surface and facilitating hydrogen formation with selectivity and yield in the range 85–96%. The optimal indices for this reaction are obtained for a CeO₂-CuO/Al₂O₃/cordierite sample prepared using an ammonium precursor for cerium, (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆. This catalyst displays enhanced reductive capacity relative to the analogous CeO₂-CuO composition prepared using Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O.     

Crystal and molecular structure of ammonium trinitratouranylate NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]

Ammonium trinitratouranylate NH₄[UO₂(NO₃)₃] (I) single crystals have been synthesized by the reaction of aqueous solutions of diaquadinitratouranyl tetrahydrate and ammonium nitrate in the presence of nitric acid. The structure of the complex has been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis: space group \(R\bar 3c\), a = 9.361(2), c = 18.883(4) Å; V = 1433.0(5) ų, and Z = 6. The structural units of the NH₄[UO₂(NO₃)₃] crystal—NH ₄ ⁺ cations and [UO₂(NO₃)₃]^? complex anions with three bidentate cyclic nitrato groups—are on crystallographic axes \(\bar 3\). A complex three-dimensional packing arranged by the electrostatic attraction forces between counterions and the N-H...O hydrogen bonds between ammonium cations and trinitratouranylate anions is realized in the structure. X-ray diffraction analysis results are confirmed by IR spectra of NH₄[UO₂(NO₃)₃].     

Monolithic FeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for ammonia oxidation and nitrous oxide decomposition

(1.2–8.3)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ monolith catalysts have been prepared by impregnating alumina with aqueous solutions of iron(III) nitrate and oxalate and have been tested in NH₃ oxidation and in the selective decomposition of N₂O in mixtures resulting from ammonia oxidation over a Pt–Rh gauze pack under conditions of nitric acid synthesis (800–900°C). In the case of the support calcined at 1200°C, the catalyst is dominated by bulk Fe₂O₃ particles localized on the Al₂O₃ surface. The activity of these samples in both reactions decreases with a decreasing active component content, thus limiting the potential of Fe₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 5H₂O, an environmentally friendlier but poorly soluble compound, as a substitute for Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O. Decreasing the support calcination temperature to 1000°C or below leads to the formation of a highly defective Fe–Al–O solid solution in the (1.2–2.7)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The surface layers of the solid solution are enriched with iron ions or stabilize ultrafine FeO_х particles. The catalytic activity of these samples in both reactions is close to the activities measured for ~8%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ samples prepared using iron nitrate.     

Review of Ag/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Reductant System in the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Ag/Al₂O₃ is a promising catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) by hydrocarbons (HC) of NO _x in both laboratory and diesel engine bench tests. New developments of the HC-SCR of NO _x over a Ag/Al₂O₃ catalyst are reviewed, including the efficiencies and sulfur tolerances of different Ag/Al₂O₃-reductant systems for the SCR of NO _x ; the low-temperature activity improvement of H₂-assisted HC-SCR of NO _x over Ag/Al₂O₃; and the application of a Ag/Al₂O₃-ethanol SCR system with a heavy-duty diesel engine. The discussions are focused on the reaction mechanisms of different Ag/Al₂O₃-reductant systems and H₂-assisted HC-SCR of NO _x over Ag/Al₂O₃. A SO₂-resistant surface structure in situ synthesized on Ag/Al₂O₃ by using ethanol as a reductant is proposed based on the study of the sulfate formation. These results provide new insight into the design of a high-efficiency NO _x reduction system. The diesel engine bench test results showed that a Ag/Al₂O₃-ethanol system is promising for catalytic cleaning of NO _x in diesel exhaust.     

Study of nitrosation of hexaammineruthenium(II): Crystal structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[RuNO(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl]Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The nitrosation of [Ru(NH₃)₆]²⁺ in hydrochloric acid and alkaline ammonia media has been studied; the patterns of interconversion of ruthenium complexes in reaction solutions have been proposed. In both cases, nitrogen(II) oxide acts as the nitrosation agent. The procedure for the synthesis of [Ru(NO)(NH₃)₅]Cl₃ · H₂O (yield 75–80%), the main nitrosation product of [Ru(NH₃)₆]²⁺, has been optimized. Thermolysis of [Ru(NO)(NH₃)₅]Cl₃ · H₂O in a helium atmosphere has been studied; the intermediates have been identified. One of these products is polyamidodichloronitrosoruthenium(II) whose subsequent decomposition gives an equimolar mixture of ruthenium metal and dioxide. The structure of trans-[RuNO(NH₃)₄Cl]Cl₂, formed in the second stage of thermolysis and as a by-product in the nitrosation of [Ru(NH₃)₆]Cl₂, has been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Crystal structure of bis(semicarbazido)copper(II) nitrate [Cu(NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>NHC(O)NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The crystal structure of bis(semicarbazido)copper(II) nitrate [Cu(NH₂NHC(O)NH₂)₂](NO₃)₂ has been studied by X-ray diffraction. Monoclinic crystals, a = 6.835(2) Å, b = 7.733(2) Å, c = 10.320(3) Å, β = 105.701(3)°, V = 525.1(2) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, d _msd = 2.136 g/cm³, μ(MoK _α) = 2.143 mm⁻¹. The structure was solved with the program for automatic analysis of Patterson’s function and refined by full-matrix least squares in an anisotropic approximation for all non-hydrogen atoms using 753 independent reflections; R ₁ = 0.0203. The square environment of the Cu atom is formed from the amino nitrogen atoms of the hydrazine fragments and the C=O oxygen atoms of the two semicarbazide bidentate molecules (Cu-N 1.928 Å, Cu-O 1.999 Å). The axial positions are occupied by the O atoms of the NO ₃ ⁻ outer-spheric anions (Cu-O 2.505 Å). In the structure, the complex cations and the NO ₃ ⁻ anions are linked into a framework by N-H...O type hydrogen bonds. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2007 by G. V. Romanenko, Z. A. Savelieva, and S. V. Larionov __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 370–373, March–April, 2007.     

The mechanism of reduction of NO with H<Subscript>2</Subscript> in strongly oxidizing conditions (H<Subscript>2</Subscript>-SCR) on a novel Pt/MgO-CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst: Effects of reaction temperature

Steady State Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) experiments using on-line Mass Spectrometry (MS) and in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) have been performed to study essential mechanistic aspects of the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by H₂ under strongly oxidizing conditions (H₂-SCR) in the 120–300°C range over a novel 0.1 wt % Pt/MgO-CeO₂ catalyst. The N-path of reaction from NO to the N₂ gas product was probed by following the ¹⁴NO/H₂O₂ → ¹⁵NO/H₂/O₂ switch (SSITKA-MS and SSITKA-DRIFTS) at 1 bar total pressure. It was found that the N-pathway of reaction involves the formation of two active NO _x species different in structure, one present on MgO and the other one on the CeO₂ support surface. Inactive adsorbed NO _x species were also found on both the MgO-CeO₂ support and the Pt metal surfaces. The concentration (mol/g cat) of active NO _x leading to N₂ was found to change only slightly with reaction temperature in the 120–300°C range. This leads to the conclusion that other intrinsic kinetic reasons are responsible for the volcano-type conversion of NO versus the reaction temperature profile observed.     

Use of the differential charging effect in XPS to determine the nature of surface compounds resulting from the interaction of a Pt/(BaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> + CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) model catalyst with SO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Changes in the chemical composition of the surface of a Pt/(BaCO₃ + CeO₂) model NO _x storage-reduction catalyst upon its interaction with SO _x (SO₂ (260 Pa) + O₂ (2600 Pa) + H₂O (525 Pa)) followed by regeneration in a mixture of CO (2100 Pa) with H₂O (525 Pa) were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Model catalyst samples were prepared as a thin film (about several hundreds of angstrom units in thickness) on the surface of tantalum foil coated with a layer of aluminum oxide (～100 Å). It was found that the Pt/BaCO₃ and Pt/CeO₂ catalyst constituents acquired different surface charges (differential charging) in the course of photoelectron emission; because of this, it was possible to determine the nature of surface compounds formed as a result of the interaction of the catalyst with a reaction atmosphere. It was found that barium carbonate was converted into barium sulfate as a result of reaction with SO _x on the surface of BaCO₃ at 150°C. As the treatment temperature in SO _x was increased to 300°C, the formation of sulfate on the surface of CeO₂ was observed. The sulfatization of CeO₂ was accompanied by the reduction of Ce(IV) to Ce(III). The regeneration reaction of the catalyst treated in SO _x at 300°C resulted in the consecutive decomposition of cerium(III) sulfate at ≤500°C and then barium sulfate at 600–700°C. Upon the decomposition of BaSO₄, a portion of sulfur was converted into a sulfide state, probably, because of the formation of BaS.