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.