On the mechanism of high-temperature N2O decomposition over Fe-FER in the presence of NO

Nature and Redox Properties of Iron Sites in Zeolites Revealed by Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Iron-containing zeolite-based catalysts play a pivotal role in environmental processes aimed at mitigating the release of harmful greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). Despite the rich iron chemistry in zeolites, only a fraction of iron species that exhibit an open coordination sphere and possess the ability for electron transfer are responsible for activating reagents. In addition, the splitting of molecular oxygen is facilitated by bare iron cations embedded in zeolitic matrices. Mössbauer spectroscopy is the ideal tool for investigating the valency and geometry of iron species in zeolites because it leaves no iron forms silent and provides insights into in-situ processes. This review is dedicated to the utilization of Mössbauer spectroscopy to elucidate the nature of the extra-framework iron centers in ferrierite (FER), beta-structured (*BEA), and ZSM-5 zeolite (MFI) zeolites, which are active in N2O decomposition and CH4 oxidation through using the active oxygen derived from N2O and O2. In this work, a structured summary of the Mössbauer parameters established over the last two decades is presented, characterizing the specific iron active centers and intermediates formed upon iron's interaction with N2O/O2 and CH4. Additionally, the impact of preparation methods, iron loading, and the long-term stability on iron speciation and its redox behavior under reaction conditions is discussed.

Modification of MCM-22 Zeolite and Its Derivatives with Iron for the Application in N2O Decomposition

Layered 2D zeolite MCM-22 and its delaminated derivative, ITQ-2, were modified with iron, by different methods (ion-exchange and direct synthesis), and with the use of different precursors (FeSO4∙7H2O, Fe(NO3)3∙9H2O, and [Fe3(OCOCH3)7∙OH∙2H2O]NO3 oligocations. The applied modifications were aimed at optimization of iron form in the samples (aggregation, amount, location, and reducibility), in order to achieve the highest catalytic activity in the N2O decomposition. The synthesis of the samples was verified with the use of XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), N2-sorption and ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) techniques, while the form of iron in the samples was investigated by UV–vis-DRS (UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy), H2-TPR (Hydrogen Temperature-Programmed Reduction) and HRTEM (High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy). The highest activity in the N2O decomposition presented the sample Fe(O,IE)MCM-22, prepared by ion-exchange of MCM-22 with Fe3(III) oligocations. This activity was related to the oligomeric FexOy species (the main form of iron in the sample) and the higher loading of active species (in comparison to the modification with FeSO4∙7H2O).