Rare earth ions as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the decomposition of dinitrogen monoxide (N{sub 2}O)

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Journal of Catalysis

OSTI ID:183493

Optical and spectroscopic properties of rare earth ions have been extensively investigated. Generally, the photoexcited state of the rare earth cations is generated by the absorption of light, corresonding to the transition of the electrons situated in the inner 4f orbital to the 5d orbitals (4f-5d transition) or to other 4f orbitals (f-f transition). The ions in the excited state have the capability of transfering their excited energy to other molecules in the gas phase or in the adsorbed state. Such energy transfer processes can lead to the rare earth cations acting as photocatalysts. However, little has been reported about their photocatalysts, except for the photochemical evolution of hydrogen and the photochemical conversion of {alpha}-methylstyrene to 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane and 3,4-dimethyl-3,4-diphenylpentanol using europium chlorides in a homogeneous liquid phase. In the present note, the authors report evidence for the heterogeneous photocatalysis of rare earth cations in the decomposition of dinitrogen monoxide (N{sub 2}O) into nitrogen and oxygen molecules. The authors found that praseodymium (Pr) ion-exchanged mordenite and alumina- and silica-alumina-supported Pr are effective photocatalysts for the decomposition of N{sub 2}O. The stoichiometric photodecomposition of N{sub 2}O proceeded only on the Pr-mordenite. 17 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 183493
• Journal Information: Journal of Catalysis, Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 157; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CATALYST SUPPORTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CATIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
MORDENITE
NITROGEN OXIDES
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
RARE EARTHS
SILICA