Catalytic decomposition of nitric oxide on sodium ferrite

The catalytic decomposition of NO on the sodium ferrite salt supported on alumina has been studied with a flow reactor In the temperature range of 600 to 750 ºC. The active surface area of the supported catalyst was measured by chemisorption of CO₂ at 20 ºC. An area of 48.6 Å /CO₂ was obtained, which corresponds to an Na/CO₂ ratio of approximately 1.4. The rate equation was determined to be r = k [NO]/(I - K[O₂]). Comparing the salt with iron oxide, the rate constant (k) of the iron salt was 2-4 times higher and the O₂ adsorption constant (K) was 4 times higher. The higher rate constant and the stronger O₂ inhibition effect may be attributable to the sodium atoms.