Effect of Fe precursors on the catalytic activity of Fe/SAPO-34 catalysts for N2O decomposition

Abstract Different Fe/SAPO-34 catalysts were prepared by a solid-state ion exchange method and used to catalyze N2O decomposition. The catalytic performance of these catalysts was strongly related to their Fe precursors. Relevant characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption, UV–vis spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and H2 temperature-programmed reduction. The data indicated that the nature and distribution of Fe species in the catalysts changed with different Fe precursors used. Furthermore, monomeric Fe3+ ions and small oligomeric FexOy were the active Fe species for the Fe/SAPO-34 catalysts. Finally, it is reasonable to speculate that such a Fe source effect could be explored for other reactions.