Catalytic N2O decomposition in an electric field at low temperatures†

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) exerts strong effects on global warming and environmental destruction. Various catalytic technologies have been investigated for N₂O abatement. We investigated a catalytic system in an electric field, revealing that N₂O can be decomposed efficiently, even at low temperatures and in the presence of excess oxygen and water vapour. Reaction mechanisms with and without an electric field have been investigated using kinetics and various operando analyses, which revealed that surface-lattice oxygen on catalyst supports plays a crucially important role in N₂O decomposition in an electric field at low temperatures.