Promoted porous Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for ammonia decomposition

Transition metal catalysts have been considerably used for NH₃ decomposition because of the potential application in CO_x-free H₂ generation for fuel cells. However, most transition metal catalysts prepared via traditional synthetic approaches performed the inferior stability due to the agglomeration of active components. Here, we adopted an efficient method, aerosol-assisted self-assembly approach (AASA), to prepare the optimized cobalt-alumina (Co₃O₄-Al₂O₃) catalysts. The Co₃O₄-Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the NH3 decomposition reaction, which can reach 100% conversion at 600 °C and maintain stable for 72 h at a gaseous hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 18000 cm³ g_cat^?1 h^?1. The catalysts were characterized by various techniques including transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nitrogen sorption, temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂-TPR), ex-situ/in-situ Raman and ex-situ/in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain the information about the structure and property of the catalysts. H₂-TPR and in-situ XRD results show that there is strong interaction between the cobalt and alumina species, which influences the redox properties of the catalysts. It is found that even a low content of alumina (10 at%) is able to stabilize the catalysts due to the adequate dispersion and rational interaction between different components, which ensures the high activity and superior stability of the cobalt-alumina catalysts.     

Mechanistic study of Ce-modified MnO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts with high NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SCR performance and SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> resistance at low temperatures

A series of Ce–MnO _x /TiO₂ catalysts were prepared using a novel sol–gel template method and investigated for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃ at temperatures ranging from 353 to 473 K. The 0.07Ce–MnO _x /TiO₂ catalyst showed the highest activity and best resistance to SO₂ poisoning. The structure and properties of the catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermogravimetry (TG)–differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)–mass spectroscopy (MS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurements, H₂-temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and NH₃-temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The superior catalytic activity of the 0.07Ce–MnO _x /TiO₂ catalyst was probably due to a change in the active components, an increase in surface active oxygen and surface acid sites, and lower crystallinity and larger surface area with Ce doping. Furthermore, the reduction ability also became stronger. The SO₂ poisoning resistance of the 0.07Ce–MnO _x /TiO₂ catalyst improved because doping with Ce can effectively decrease the formation of ammonium salt on the catalyst surface and the sulfation of MnO _x . In situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier-transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy experiments indicated that addition of Ce could promote adsorption of NH₃ and inhibit generation of some nitryl species. The SCR reactions over the catalysts mainly followed the Eley–Rideal mechanism accompanied with a partial Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of quasi-unidimensional oxide Sr<Subscript>6.3</Subscript>Rh<Subscript>2.35</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>2.35</Subscript>O<Subscript>15</Subscript>

Attempts of the synthesis in air of complex oxides Sr₃RhMnO_x and Sr₄Rh_1.5Mn_1.5O_x resulted in revealing formation of a new oxide phase Sr_6.3Rh_2.35Mn_2.35O₉ related to quasi-unidimensional family A_3n+3m A′ _n B_3m+n O_9m+6n at n = 1 and m = 1. Its structural characteristics and magnetic properties are studied. X-ray data of the obtained phase is indicated on the basis of trigonal cell (spatial group P321) with the parameters: a 9.6239(4) Å; c ₁ 4.1130(4) Å, c ₂ 2.4946(2) Å. Manganese and rhodium exist in the compound as the cations Mn⁴⁺, Rh³⁺ and Rh⁴⁺, as follows from the data of measuring of magnetic susceptibility in the range 2–300 K.     

Phase equilibria in the system LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrCrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-LaCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A continuous solid solution LaMn_1?y Cr _y O₃ with an orthorhombic structure is found to exist in the range of 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. An orthorhombic solid solution La_1?x Sr _x CrO₃ exists in the range of 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. The stability boundaries are determined for the perovskite phase La_1?x Sr _x Mn_1?y Cr _y O₃. An isobaric-isothermal section LaMnO₃-SrMnO₃-SrCrO₄-LaCrO₃ of the system La₂O₃-SrO-Mn₃O₄-Cr₂O₃ in air at 1100°C is designed.     

Simultaneous removal of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> and SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> by low-temperature selective catalytic reduction over modified activated carbon catalysts

A series of modified porous activated carbon (AC) catalysts prepared by impregnation were investigated for the low-temperature (≤250°C) selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO _x with NH₃ with simultaneous removal of SO₂. The effects of various preparation conditions and reaction conditions on NO and SO₂ conversions were observed, such as support type, active components, copper loading, calcination temperature and presence of H₂O and O₂. The modified AC catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, TG and TPX methods. The activity test results showed that the optimal catalyst is 15% Cu/WCSAC which can provide 52% NO conversion and 68% SO₂ conversion simultaneously at 175°C with a space velocity of 30000 h^?1, and the optimal calcination temperature was 500°C. The presence of H₂O could inhibit NO conversion and promote the SO₂ conversion. The effect of O₂ (0–5%) was evaluated, and the NO and SO₂ conversions were best when the concentration of O₂ was 3%. Research demonstrated that Cu/WCSAC catalyst was a kind of potential catalysts due to the amorphous phase, high specific areas and high active ability.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> XPS study of the size effect in the interaction of NO with the surface of the model Ag/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/FeCrAl catalysts

The interaction of NO with the surface of model Ag/Al₂O₃/FeCrAl catalysts containing Ag nanoparticles of different size (1 and 3 nm) was studied. The use of the Auger parameter α_Ag (E _b(Ag3d_5/2) + E _kin(Ag MVV)) made it possible to reliably identify the change in the chemical state of silver cluster upon their interaction with О₂ and NO. The oxygen treatment leads to the oxidation of small Ag nanoparticles (1 nm) and formation of AgO _x clusters resulted in the intensive formation of nitrite—nitrate structures on the step of the interaction with NO. These structures are localized on both the silver clusters and Al₂O₃ surface. An increase in the size of Ag⁰ nanoparticles to 3 nm results in an increase in the stability of these structures and impedes the Ag⁰ → AgO _x transition, due to which the formation of surface groups NO₂ ^–/NO₃ ^– is suppressed. The data obtained make it possible to explain the dependence of the activity of the Ag/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the selective reduction of NO on the Ag nanoparticle size.     

Performance and characterisation of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Ce-Ti-W-O _x catalysts were prepared and applied to the NH₃-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reaction. The experimental results showed that the Ce-Ti-W-O _x catalyst prepared by the hydrothermal method exhibited higher NO conversion than those synthesised via the sol-gel and impregnating methods, while the optimal content of WO₃ and molar ratio of Ce/Ti were 20 mass % and 4: 6, respectively. Under these conditions, the catalyst exhibited the highest level of catalytic activity (the NO conversion reached values higher than 90 %) across a wide temperature range of 225–450°C, with a range of gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 40000–140000 h^?1. The catalyst also exhibited good resistance to H₂O and SO₂. The influences of morphology, phase structure, and surface properties on the catalytic performance were investigated by N₂ adsorption-desorption measurement, XRD, XPS, H₂-TPR, and SEM. It was found that the high efficiency of NO removal was due to the large BET surface area, the amorphous surface species, the change to element valence states, and the strong interaction between Ce, Ti, and W.     

Nitrosonium nitrite isomer of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Quantum-chemical data

The geometrical, electronic, and thermodynamic parameters of three known isomers of dinitrogen trioxide N₂O₃ were calculated by the density functional theory DFT/B3LYP method using the 6-311++G(3df) basis. The structure of the new isomer, NONO₂, was calculated. From the calculation of vibrational frequencies it follows that the structure of NONO₂ has a local potential energy minimum and corresponds to the stationary state of the N₂O₃ isomer. The molecular structure of NONO₂ is characterized by a substantial negative charge on the NO₂ fragment and positive charge on the NO fragment. The electronic structure of the NO⁺NO ₂ ^? isomer can be characterized as nitrosonium nitrite, which can be oxidized to nitrite and participate in nitrosylation in accordance with the biogenic characteristics of the NO _x intermediate, assumed to be formed in biological systems during the oxidation of NO.     

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.     

Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> over MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Promoted Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalyst

A series of MoO₃ doped Fe₂O₃ catalysts prepared by the co-precipitation method were investigated in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃ (NH₃-SCR). The catalysts displayed excellent catalytic activity from 225 to 400°C and high tolerance to SO₂/H₂O poisoning at 300°C. To characterize the catalysts the N₂-BET, XRD, Raman, NO-TPD, NH₃-TPD and in situ DRIFTS were carried out. It was found that the main reason explaining a high NH₃-SCR performance might be the synergistic effect between Fe and Mo species in the catalyst that could enhance the dispersion of Fe₂O₃ and increase NH₃ adsorption on the catalyst surface.     

Spectrokinetic study of the mechanism of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> reduction with propylene over ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in excess oxygen

It has been demonstrated by quantitative spectrokinetic measurements that, on the surface of zirconia stabilized as a tetragonal phase, the rate-limiting step of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (SCR of NO _x ) with propylene is the interaction of surface nitrates with C₃H₆ yielding organic nitro compounds. It is hypothesized that propylene reacts not with the nitrates themselves but with the activated complex NO₂ ^ads whose structure is intermediate between the structures of the monodentate NO₃ ^? and NO₂ species. Deep C₃H₆ oxidation exerts an adverse effect on the rate of the SCR of NO _x with propylene, and the interaction between O₂ and NO, which yields NO₂ and NO₃ ^? stimulates further nitrogen reduction to N₂. The effect of the reaction between oxygen and O₂N?C _n H _m on the NO _x reduction rate is variable and is determined by the C₃H₆/NO _x ratio. A generalized scheme of the SCR of NO _x with propylene on the surface of ZrO₂ partially stabilized as a tetragonal phase has been developed by comparing experimental data of this study and data available from the literature.     

Crystal structure and properties of [M(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>, (M = Ir,Rh, Ru)

The crystal structures of compounds from the series [M(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂, (M = Ir, Rh, Ru) were described. The compounds crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system, space group I4, Z = 2. Crystal data for [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (I): a = 7.6061(1) Å, b = 7.6061(1) Å, c = 10.4039(2) Å, V = 601.894(16) ų, ρ_calc = 2.410 g/cm³, R = 0.0087; [Rh(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (II): a = 7.5858(5) Å, b = 7.5858(5) Å, c = 10.41357(7) Å, V = 599.24(7) ų, ρ_calc = 1.926 g/cm³, R = 0.0255; [Ru(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (III): a = 7.5811(6) Å, b = 7.5811(6) Å, c = 10.5352(14) Å, V = 605.49(11) ų, ρ_calc = 1.896 g/cm³, R = 0.0266. The compounds were defined by IR spectroscopy and XRPA and thermal analyses.     

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.     

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].     

Crystal structure of [Ir(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[OsCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>. Crystal-chemical analysis of the iridium-osmium system

The [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[OsCl₆]Cl₂ binary complex salt has been prepared, and its structure was investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: a = 11.1901(13) Å, b = 7.9138(13) Å, c = 13.4384(18) Å; β = 99.640(3)°, V = 1190.0(2), space group C2/m, Z = 2, FW = 1099.47, d _x = 3.068 g/cm³. Thermolysis products of [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[OsCl₆]Cl₂, [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl][OsBr₆], (NH₄)₂[OsCl₆]_x[IrCl₆]_1?x , and K₂[OsCl₆]_x[IrCl₆]_1?x were studied by X-ray phase analysis; the unit cell parameters were refined, and the dependence of volume per atom (V/Z) on the composition of the Ir Os_1?x solid solution has been plotted.     

Catalytic efficiency of cesium and potassium salts of dodecatungstophosphoric acid supported on silica and comparison with H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Pure tungstophosphoric acid, potassium tungstophosphate, and cesium tungstophosphate with varying extent of substitution of protons by Cs or K ions x (x = 1, 2, 2.5, and 3) have been prepared and are supported on silica by the wet impregnation method. The extent of loading was fixed at 20 wt %. For the sake of comparison, unloaded Cs _x and K _x (x = 1) salts of tungstophosphoric acid were prepared by the precipitation method. The supported catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, specific surface area measurements, and catalytic conversion of tert-butanol. The results revealed that the catalytic conversion of tert-butanol proceeds mainly via dehydration yielding isobutene. The Cs₁PW/SiO₂, HPW/SiO₂, and K₁PW/SiO₂ catalysts were more active than their unsupported samples. The previous solids showed greater catalytic activity and stability. Unexpectedly, substitution of one proton of tungstophosphoric acid by a cesium or potassium ion exerted no measurable effect on the catalytic activity of the treated solids, in spite of decreasing the Brønsted acidity of Cs₁PW/SiO₂ and K₁PW/SiO₂ indicating that the acidity of HPW/SiO₂ decrease may be due to the interaction between HPW and the SiO₂ surface. On the other hand, significant decrease in the catalytic activity took place upon increasing the cation content (x) to x = 2, 2.5, and 3.     

An XPS study of the oxidation of noble metal particles evaporated onto the surface of an oxide support in their reaction with NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

The interaction of the model catalysts Rh/Al₂O₃, Pd/Al₂O₃, Pt/Al₂O₃, and Pt/SiO₂ with NO _x (mixture of 10 Torr of NO and 10 Torr of O₂) was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Samples of the model catalysts were prepared under vacuum conditions as oxide films ≥100 Å in thickness on tantalum foil with evaporated platinum-group metal particles. According to transmission electron microscopic data, the platinum-group metal particle size was several nanometers. It was found by XPS that the oxidation of Rh and Pd nanoparticles in their interaction with NO _x occurs already at room temperature. The particles of platinum were more stable: their oxidation under the action of NO _x was observed at elevated temperatures of ～300°C. At room temperature, the interaction of platinum nanoparticles with NO _x hypothetically leads to the dissolution (insertion) of oxygen atoms in the bulk of the particles with the retention of their metallic nature. It was found that dissolved oxygen is much more readily reducible by hydrogen than the lattice oxygen of the platinum oxide particles.     

Adsorption of NO,NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O on V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

The adsorption of small molecules NO, NH₃ and H₂O on V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts is studied with the semiempirical SCF MO method MSINDO as pre-stage for the selective catalytic reduction of NO. The mixed catalyst is represented by hydrogen-terminated cluster models. The local arrangement of the cluster atoms is in accordance with available experimental information. Partial relaxation of cluster atoms near the adsorption sites is taken into account. Calculated adsorption energies are compared with experimental literature data. Rapid convergence of computed properties with cluster size is observed. A possible reaction mechanism for the catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃ and O₂ is outlined.     

Crystal structures of Ti(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> and Sn(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript>

The characteristics of crystal structures of the titanium(IV) diammonium (Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃) and tin(IV) diammonium (Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃) tetraphosphates, which are isostructural with similar silicon(IV) and germanium(IV) salts, have been obtained by the Rietveld method using X-ray powder diffraction data. The compounds crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P \(\overline 1 \), Z = 2, a = 15.0291(7) Å, b = 7.9236(4) Å, c = 5.0754(3) Å, α = 99.168(3)°, β = 97.059(3)°, γ = 83.459(3)° for Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃ and a = 15.1454(7) Å, b = 8.0103(5) Å, c = 5.1053(3) Å, α = 99.898(6)°, β = 96.806(3)°, γ = 83.881(4)° for Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃. The structure is refined in the isotropic approximation using the pseudo-Voigt function: R _p = 0.077, R _Bragg = 0.045, R _F = 0.057 for Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃; R _p = 0.082, R _Bragg = 0.044, R _F = 0.046 for Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃. The hydrogen atoms of the ammonium cations are placed in the calculated positions. A comparative analysis of the structures of the compounds of the M^IV(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃ (M^IV = Si, Ge, Ti, Sn) series has been carried out.     

A study of phase formation in the subsolidus region of the system Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MnMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase relationships in the subsolidus region of the system Na₂MoO₄-MnMoO₄-Cr₂(MoO₄)₃ were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and differential-thermal analyses. The possibility of obtaining a variablecomposition phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and ternary molybdate NaMn₃Cr(MoO₄)₅ was examined. The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ was analyzed.