Direct decomposition of NO over plasma-assisted catalytic system induced by microwave irradiation

Direct decomposition of NO was carried out over plasma-assisted catalytic system (PACS) having both microwave absorbents for plasma generation and NO decomposition catalysts for the conversion of NO into N₂ and O ₂; Co₃O₄ and SiC were used as microwave absorbents and Cu-ZSM-5 was used as a NO decomposition catalyst. Stable and light blue-colored plasma could be generated successfully in atmospheric condition over 95 wt% SiC/Cu-ZSM-5 and 25 wt% Co₃O ₄/Cu-ZSM-5 PACSs by the irradiation of continuous microwave, which showed superior NO decomposition activity. More than 98% of NO was decomposed into N₂ and O₂ without the formation of N₂O over 25 wt% Co₃O₄/Cu-ZSM-5 PACSs at GHSV > 45000 h ^-1 and the apparent temperature of 280°C.