Nitrogen complexes formation during NO–C reaction at low temperature in presence of O2 and H2O

Oxygen and nitrogen complexes formation in coal char due to its reaction with NO at 100 °C in presence or absence of O2 and/or H2O was studied by XPS. Formation of NO2 and pyridinic complexes and a considerable increment of oxygen complex was observed. The NO2 complexes can be formed in all cases, even when there is no molecular oxygen present in the gas mixture. The presence of O2 and/or H2O promotes their formation. Apparently, this complex can be formed by the presence of C(O) complexes next to the site capable of chemisorbing NO.