Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide?

[rocketman]

Does anyone know what types of materials may be used to decrease the activation energy of 2N_2O->2N_2 +O_2. I think perhaps silver may work, but I need to find a material which will withstand the high temperature of decomposition

thanks

 

[Astronuc]

Platinum, palladium and rhodium are two metals that serve as catalysts converting NO_x to nitrogen and oxygen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#Purpose_and_function_of_catalytic_converters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter

The catalyst itself, most often a precious metal. Platinum is the most active catalyst, and is widely used. However, it is not suitable for all applications because of unwanted additional reactions and/or cost. Palladium and rhodium are two other precious metals that are used, Palladium as a substitute for Platinum in three-way catalytic converters, and Rhodium is the material that makes a three-way reaction possible. Cerium, iron, and nickel are also used, though each has its own limitations. Nickel is not legal for use in the European Union (nickel hydrate formation). While copper can be used, its use is illegal in North America due to the formation of dioxin.

Wikipedia

Other references:

http://www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/5/chemistry/catalysis/catsch3pg11.html

http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/feature_ent.html?id=9a4f4f92320b11d7f4a56ed9fe800100

 

[rocketman]

Do you know the melting point of any of these catalysts? The decomposition of NOX can serve as a gas generator, creating oxygen and nitrogen, and can thermally sustain itself in the presence of a catalyst with relatively little activation energy. I would like to find a way to cost effectively decompose NOX into its constituants in an adiabatic reaction for the purposes of 1) heating and expanding the flow, and 2) creating free oxygen. I knew of the precious metal approach, but it seems a bit fiscally difficult. Also, I may be mistaken but I believe N2O is not a major byproduct of car emmissions such as NO or NO2 and various other oxygen rich nitrogen oxides.

 

[Astronuc]

Melting temperatures for the elements can be found at www.webelements.com

Rh is in the same group as Co.

Co, 1768 K [or 1495 °C (2723 °F)]
Rh, 2237K [or 1964 °C (3567 °F)]

Pd and Pt are in the Ni group.

Ni, 1728 K [or 1455 °C (2651 °F)]
Pd, 1828.05 K [or 1554.9 °C (2830.82 °F)]
Pt, 2041.4 K [or 1768.3 °C (3214.9 °F)]

Cu, 1357.77 K [or 1084.62 °C (1984.32 °F)]

Co and Cu are used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in which H₂ and CO are combined to form alkanes or alkenes.

BTW, NO_x generally refers to NO and NO₂.