Catalytic Decomposition of NO by Cationic Platinum Oxide Cluster Pt3O4.

The catalytic decomposition of NO by cationic platinum oxide cluster Pt3O4+ was investigated by mass spectrometry and thermal desorption spectrometry. Upon reaction with two NO molecules, molecular oxygen desorbed from the cluster at room temperature to form Pt3O4N2+. Then, at temperatures above 400 K, desorption of N2 from Pt3O4N2+ was observed. These processes were confirmed by isotope-labeling experiments, and the energetics of O2 and N2 release were determined by density functional calculations. The combination of these elementary steps resulted in the catalytic decomposition of NO by Pt3O4+.