Synergy between metals in bimetallic zeolite supported catalyst for NO-promoted N2O decomposition

The detrimental effect of NO on N2O decomposition over zeolite supported noble metal catalysts can be (partly) eliminated by combining noble metal with iron or cobalt. In the presence of NO, the total conversion of N2O over these bimetallic-zeolites exceeds the sum of conversions over the monometallic analogues of the individual components. A synergistic effect between the metals is proposed to be responsible for this phenomenon. This synergistic effect gives superior N2O decomposition activity under realistic conditions, i.e. in the presence of water and NO, at temperatures as low as 350degreesC. The nature of the synergy is discussed in the light of some preliminary observations.