Effect of Catalyst Composition and Process Conditions on the Catalytic Efficiency of Cobalt Ferrite in the Decomposition of Nitrogen(I) Oxide

Abstract

A study is performed of the procedure for preparing a catalyst of the decomposition of nitrogen(I) oxide. Decomposition catalysts were prepared through the mechanochemical synthesis of cobalt ferrite from a mixture of iron and cobalt oxalates. It is established that preliminary mechanochemical activation of the initial components in a roller ring vibration mill allows the temperature of cobalt ferrite synthesis to be reduced to 300°C, yielding a product with a more developed specific surface area and porous structure. The catalytic properties of cobalt ferrite with different ratios of the main components (CoO : Fe2O3 = 0.7–1.3) are studied in the temperature range of 100–500°C. It is shown that raising the content of CoO in the composition of cobalt ferrite to a ratio of 1.3 lowers the temperature of the 50% decomposition of N2O from 420 to 370°C. The effect water vapor, O2, and H2 have on the reaction is revealed. The effect pressure and temperature have on the activity of a catalyst based on cobalt ferrite is established for the decomposition of N2O.