Strong electronic promotion of Co3O4 towards N2O decomposition by surface alkali dopants

The effect of alkali promoters on N2O decomposition in dry and wet (1% H2O) conditions over Co3O4 was investigated. The beneficial influence of dopants on the catalyst activity increases in the order: Li ≪ Na < K < Cs. The N2O reactivity was complemented by the work function measurements by Kelvin method. The strong promotional effect for sodium, potassium and cesium was found to be of electronic nature and was discussed in terms of lowering of the spinel work function caused by the surface alkali adspecies.