Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on nickel oxide-cerium dioxide catalysts and the effect of ionizing radiation on them

Abstract

Physical characteristics of nickel oxide-cerium dioxide catalysts and their catalytic activity in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide were studied over the entire region of catalyst composition. The systems under study, prepared from cerium(III) nitrate, were compared with those prepared previously from cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate, and the properties of the catalysts were found to be affected considerably by the nature of the precursor used. Nevertheless, in spite of the differences the catalytic reaction on the catalysts of the two series seems to proceed on catalytic centres of the same kind, the extent to which the centres operate being dependent on the catalyst composition. The changes in the catalyst activity brought about by sample ageing, heat treatment, or previous exposition to gamma or beta rays or fast neutrons can be accounted for, in terms of the bivalent catalytic centres concept, by interaction of the catalytic centres with oxygen or the radiation applied.