The reaction mechanism for nitrous oxide decomposition has been studied on hydrated and dehydrated
mononuclear iron sites in Fe-ZSM-5 using density functional theory. In total, 46 different surface species
with different spin states (spin multiplicity MS ) 4 or 6) and 63 elementary reactions were considered. Heats
of adsorption, activation barriers, reaction rates, and minimum energy pathways were determined. The
approximate minimum energy pathways and transition states were calculated using the “growing string method”
and a modified “dimer method”. Spin surface crossing (e.g., O2 desorption) was considered. The minimum
potential energy structure on the seam of two potential energy surfaces was determined with a multiplier
penalty function algorithm by Powell and approximate rates of spin surface crossings were calculated. It was
found that nitrous oxide decomposition is first order with respect to nitrous oxide concentration and zero
order with respect to oxygen concentration. Water impurities in the gas stream have a strong inhibiting effect.
In the concentration range of 1-100 ppb, the presence of water vapor influences the surface composition and
the apparent rate coefficient. This is especially relevant in the temperature range of 600-700 K where most
experimental kinetic studies are performed. Apparent activation barriers determined over this temperature
range vary from 28.4 (1 ppb H2O) to 54.8 kcal/mol (100 ppb H2O). These results give an explanation why
different research groups and different catalyst pretreatments often result in very different activation barriers
and preexponential factors. Altogether perfect agreement with experimental results could be achieved.