Steam-activated FeMFI zeolites. Evolution of iron species and activity in direct N2O decomposition

Abstract In this paper the effect of the composition and steaming conditions of FeMFI catalysts on activity in direct N2O decomposition is investigated. MFI zeolites with different framework compositions (FeAlSi, FeGaSi, and FeSi) and without iron ( 100 mbar H2O in N2) favor the extraction of framework iron, enabling the application of lower activation temperatures. The optimum temperature during steam activation is that at which extraction of framework iron is complete without extensive clustering of extra-framework iron species into oxide particles, as was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical characterization of the samples. Additional experiments show…