Catalytic N2O decomposition in an electric field at low temperatures

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20484
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0401:Materials engineering, chemical engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Shigemoto Ayaka 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 助手 (30961148)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 亜酸化窒素 / 触媒分解 / 電場触媒反応 / 環境触媒 / 一酸化二窒素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nitrous oxide (N2O) has significant impacts on global warming and environmental degradation. Various catalytic methods have been explored for reducing N2O. We studied a catalytic system in an electric field, discovering that N2O can be decomposed efficiently, even at low temperatures and with excess oxygen and water vapor present. We examined reaction mechanisms with and without an electric field using kinetics and various operando analyses, revealing that the decomposition of N2O is expedited by the transfer of oxygen from the Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 support. Specifically, N2O reacts with the oxygen adsorbed onto the Rh oxide surface when an electric field is applied.

Free Research Field

触媒化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

N2OはCO2の約300倍の強い温室効果を示すため、排出量の低減化が求められている。しかしながら、過剰な共存酸素や水蒸気によって触媒作用が阻害されるため、共存ガス下かつ低温でのN2O直接分解反応は極めて困難であった。本研究では、過剰酸素雰囲気下のN2O直接分解に対して電場をアシストすることで、従来課題とされていた共存酸素や吸着酸素を能動的に制御し、著しく反応を低温化できることを示した。さらに本研究のメカニズム解明を通じて、電場アシスト効果を明確にし、より優れた触媒の設計開発や、その他の電場アシストを利用した反応系への応用・展開が期待される。