Infrared spectroscopic study of NO reduction by H2 on supported gold catalysts

Abstract

In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to study the reduction of NO by H2 on Au/SiO2 and Au/MgO catalysts. On these catalysts, large differences in selectivity toward N2 formation had been found depending on the nature of the support. These differences are correlated with transient infrared spectral features which appear during reaction. NO by itself does not give rise to a band attributable to NO adsorbed on Au, however, exposure of supported Au to NO renders the catalyst unable to adsorb CO. Preadsorbed CO, on the other hand, is displaced from the Au Catalysts by NO.