Nitrous oxide decomposition over La0.3Sr0.7Co0.7fe0.3O3-δ catalyst

Nano-sized La(0.3)Sr(0.7)Co(0.7)fe(0.3)O(3-delta) (LSFC3773) was prepared as a catalyst for nitrous oxide (N2O) decomposition by a sonochemical method. The catalyst provided a complete conversion of N2O at 450 degrees C, showing the best performance among most recent industrial catalysts, and offered 99.7-100% conversion at higher temperatures, e.g., 540-600 degrees C. A suitable operating temperature range for the reaction to avoid NOx formation is from 400 to 600 degrees C. The activation energy and the pre-exponential factor were 42.96 kJ/mol and 161,135.35 mol/g(cat) h bar. Oxygen inhibition was observed and was more obvious as the sample approached full surface coverage (theta = 1) at 375 degrees C using a 100% N2O feed. The reaction occurred via the Eley-Rideal mechanism. Two possible model mechanisms were suggested according to the experimental phenomenon and the rate coefficient order of each elementary steps.