Photocatalytic decomposition of NO at 275 K on titanium oxide catalysts anchored within zeolite cavities and framework

Titanium oxide species prepared in the Y-zeolite cavities via an ion-exchange method and those of the Ti-silicalite catalyst prepared hydrothermally exhibit high photocatalytic reactivity for the direct decomposition of NO into N2, O2 and N2O at 275 K with a high selectivity for the formation of N2. The in situ photoluminescence and XAFS investigations indicate that these titanium oxide species are highly dispersed and exist in a tetrahedral coordination in the zeolite cavities and its framework. The charge transfer excited state of these titanium oxide species plays a significant role in the direct decomposition of NO with a high selectivity for the formation of N2, while the catalysts involving the aggregated octahedrally coordinated titanium oxide species and the bulk powdered TiO2 catalyst mainly produce N2O.