Effects of support materials and Ir loading on catalytic N2O decomposition properties

N2O is a stratospheric ozone-depleting greenhouse gas with a global warming potential. The catalytic decomposition of N2O is one of the most promising and economical techniques to reduce the amount of the gas in the atmosphere. In the present study, the effects of support materials and Ir loading on the catalytic N2O decomposition properties were comprehensively investigated. The decomposition activity is closely associated with the Ir dispersion which is estimated using pulsed CO chemisorption. In addition, NO-TPD profiles and in situ FTIR spectra revealed a correlation between the adsorption properties of N2O/NOx and the catalytic N2O decomposition activity. [Display omitted] •Ir/ZrO2 exhibited particularly high N2O decomposition activity among the supported Ir.•Reduction properties of suppoeted Ir were associated with the N2O decomposition activity.•In-situ FTIR spectra revealed a correlation between the adsorption properties of N2O/NOx and the activity.•Ir/ZrO2 showed the high catalyst stability and reproducibility for reaction, although H2O induced deactivation.