Copper ionic pairs as possible active sites in N2O decomposition on CuOx/CeO2 catalysts

Synthesized by impregnation and coprecipitation methods, ceria-supported copper samples were tested in catalytic decomposition of N2O (deN2O) under dry and wet conditions. Basing on the structural (XRD, SEM), spectroscopic (EPR, RS) and catalytic characterization, supported by DFT calculations, the role of mono- and dimeric copper as active centers in the deN2O reaction was evaluated. Particular attention was paid to elucidation of the structure and localization of the Cu2+single bondCu2+ pairs within the CeO2 matrix, their stability and chemical conditions of their formation.