Application of Kelvin method and mass spectrometry for investigation of oxide catalyst surface properties

Many oxides are applied as a catalysts for commercially important processes. Recently, decomposition of nitrous oxide into nitrogen and oxygen have became a topic of vital interest for catalytic chemistry. Two possible ways of deN2O reaction, low temperature and high-temperature, can be distinguished. Promising results were obtained for spinel oxides which contained cobalt. Because of cationic redox route, triggered by electron transfer, of N2O decomposition over these oxides, investigation of their electronic properties was justifi ed. Th erefore the work function measurements, using Kelvin method were carried out. Moreover in-situ monitoring of processes occurred at catalyst’s surface was performed using mass spectrometry.