Hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides containing copper: catalysts for the removal of nitric oxide

Hydrotalcite structures containing copper, magnesium and aluminium in the metal hydroxide layers have been investigated for their potential as precursors to the formation of catalysts for the decomposition and reduction of nitrogen oxides. These CuIIMgIIAlIII hydrotalcites are catalytically active towards both the decomposition of nitric oxide and its reduction in the presence of an appropriate coreductant, such as propane. The copper centred active species, identified using EXAFS spectroscopy and combined EXAFS/XRD under operating conditions, have been found to be CuI for the decomposition and Cu0 for the reduction.