In‐situ XAS Study of Catalytic N2O Decomposition Over CuO/CeO2 Catalysts

Abstract We performed in‐situ XAS study of N 2 O decomposition over CuO/CeO 2 catalysts. The Cu K‐edge and Ce L 3 ‐edge XANES and EXAFS analyses revealed the dynamic and crucial role of Cu 2+ /Cu + and Ce 4+ /Ce 3+ ionic pairs during the catalytic reaction. We observed the initial formation of reduced Cu + and Ce 3+ species during activation in helium atmosphere at 400 °C, while concentration of these species decreased significantly during steady‐state nitrous oxide degradation reaction (2500 ppm N 2 O in He at 400 °C). In‐situ EXAFS analysis further revealed a crucial role of copper−ceria interface in this catalytic reaction. We observed dynamic changes in average number of Cu−Ce scatters under reaction conditions, indicating an enlarging of the interface between both copper and ceria phases, where electron and oxygen transfer occurs.