NITROGEN-DIOXIDE EFFECT IN THE REDUCTION OF NITRIC-OXIDE BY PROPANE IN OXIDIZING ATMOSPHERE

The role of nitrogen dioxide in the selective reduction of NO by propane over a Cu-MFI zeolite is investigated. NO2 and NO reductions were carried out under similar conditions of reaction. In the presence of oxygen, the reduction of NO by C3H8 does not differ significantly from that of NO2. In the absence of oxygen, the reduction of NO2 by propane occurs with a partial decomposition of the nitric dioxide molecule. Such a decomposition leads to the formation of oxygen, which is responsible for the increase in catalytic activity by comparison with the same reaction performed with NO. NO2 formed and released in the gas phase during the reduction of NO by propane in the presence of oxygen does not play a predominant role in the catalytic process.