Advances in decomposition of N2O from nitric acid plants and current status over selected copper-containing catalysts

Abstract

In recent years, the demand for climate-smart policies has become a global imperative. While the primary focus has traditionally been on reducing carbon footprints, nitrous oxide (N₂O), a non-carbon greenhouse gas, also has a substantial impact on climate change and warrants greater attention in mitigation efforts. In this mini-review, firstly, we focus our attention on N₂O formation and its destruction potential to the environment and human health, through its emission from natural and anthropogenic sources. N₂O is an inevitable by-product of adipic and nitric acid production processes. Thus, we presented the variety of post-treatment methods (commonly known as ‘end-of-pipe’ solutions) that were developed and implemented in the chemical and energy industries to control N₂O emissions. We focused on hydrotalcite-derived mixed metal oxides and Cu-containing zeolites as the most widely applied groups of catalysts in decomposition of N₂O (deN₂O), pointing out the existing gaps in research. Finally, we provided general conclusions together with a discussion about promising research directions.