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NO-CO activity and selectivity over a Pt[sub 10]Rh[sub 90](111) alloy catalyst in the 10-torr pressure range

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis; (United States)
OSTI ID:7185266
; ; ;  [1]
  1. General Motors Research and Development Center, Warren, MI (United States)

The authors have studied the effects of temperature, NO conversion, and NO-CO ratio on the activity and selectivity of the NO-CO reaction over a Pt[sub 10]Rh[sub 90](111) surface. The NO-CO activity over the Pt[sub 10]Rh[sub 90](111) is very similar to that over the Rh(111) surface from 573 to 648 K in that both surfaces have the same E[sub a], reaction orders, products, and selectivities. The turnover numbers for the Pt[sub 10]Rh[sub 90](111) alloy are slightly lower than those for Rh(111), when compared on a per surface atom basis; however, the rates per surface Rh atom are virtually unchanged. This behavior suggests that the primary effect of Pt is to dilute the Rh surface atom concentration; however, it is equally consistent with electronic modification of all surface atoms. The surface composition remains essentially unchanged over the range of reaction conditions that were explored. The Pt[sub 10]Rh[sub 90](111) single crystal mimics the behavior of supported Pt-Rh catalysts is that both show high ([approximately]75%) selectivity for N[sub 2]O at low temperature, low conversion, or high NO-CO ratio and low or zero N[sub 2]O production at high temperature and high NO conversion. The conclusion is that the N[sub 2]O selectivity and the overall reaction rate are controlled by the NO adsorption/desorption equilibrium. Adsorbed NO strongly inhibits the NO dissociation reaction, keeping surface N coverages low. However, once the temperature is raised or the NO pressure lowered, surface NO coverages fall, accelerating the NO dissociation reaction and likewise increasing the N + N reaction. The authors conclude that these surface kinetics explain the curious N[sub 2]O selectivities observed during light-off of supported catalysts. 37 refs., 7 figs.

OSTI ID:
7185266
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis; (United States) Vol. 146:2; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English