Promotion of N2O decomposition by Zr4+-doped CeO2 used as support of Rh catalyst

A series of Ce1-xZrxO2-supported Rh catalysts was prepared and their catalytic efficiencies for N2O decomposition was determined in the 200-400 degrees C range. The activity of this catalytic system was found to be largely influenced by the Ce:Zr weight ratio. The Rh/Ce-ZrO2 catalyst with a small amount of ZrO2 showed a significantly improved activity performance than the Rh/CeO2 catalyst, particularly when O-2 or H2O were present in the feed gas of N2O. H-2 temperature-programmed reduction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed that the incorporation of Zr4+ in the CeO2 lattice used as support of Rh catalyst improved Rh dispersion and redox ability, and stabilized Rh3+ species on the catalyst surface.