Continuous N2O capture and reduction to N2 using Ca-zeolite adsorbent and Pd/La/Al2O3 reduction catalyst

There is an urgent need to develop effective methods for converting nitrous oxide (N2O) into non-harmful N2 because N2O is a potent greenhouse gas, and its increasing concentration in the atmosphere is a major concern for global warming. In this study, we developed a two-step N2O capture and reduction system, employing CaO-incorporated zeolites (Ca-zeolites) as N2O adsorbents and Pd nanoparticles on La-containing Al2O3 (Pd/La/Al2O3) as catalysts for N2O reduction. This process is suitable for continuous operation over a temperature swing of 50–150 °C. The N2O capture capacity and subsequent reduction ability were preserved for at least 15 h (10 cycles). Notably, this system can operate at low temperatures (below 150 °C) using a simple temperature-swing process in the presence of O2.