Thermal Decomposition of Hydrated Copper Nitrate [$Cu(NO_3)_2{\cdot}3H_2O$] on Activated Carbon Fibers

Thermolysis of $Cu(NO_3)_2{\cdot}3H_2O$ impregnated activated carbon fiber (ACF) was studied by means of XRD analysis to obtain Cu-impregnated ACF. $Cu(NO_3)_2{\cdot}3H_2O$ was converted into $Cu_2O$ around $230^{\circ}C$. The $Cu_2O$ was reduced to Cu at $400^{\circ}C$, resulting in ACF-C(Cu). Some Cu particles have a tendency to aggregate through the heat treatment, resulting in the ununiform distribution in ACF. Catalytic decomposition of NO gas has been performed by Cu-impregnated ACF in a column reactor at $400^{\circ}C$. Initial NO concentration was 1300 ppm diluted in helium gas. NO gas was effectively decomposed by 5~10 wt% Cu-impregnated ACF at $400^{\circ}C$. The concentration of NO was maintained less than 200 ppm for 6 hours in this system. The ACF-C(Cu) deoxidized NO to $N_2$ and was reduced to ACF-$C(Cu_2O)$ in the initial stage. The ACF-$C(Cu_2O)$ also deoxidized NO to $N_2$ and reduced to ACF-C(CuO). This ACF-C(CuO) was converted again into ACF-C(Cu) by heating. There was no consumption of ACF in mass during thermolysis and catalytic decomposition of NO to $N_2$ by copper. The catalytic decomposition was accelerated with increase of the reaction temperature.