In this paper, a series of zinc cobaltite catalysts with the general formula
ZnxCo1−xCo2O4 (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0) has been prepared using the
co-precipitation method. Thermal analyzes (TGA and DTA) were used to
follow up the thermal events accompanying the heat treatment of the parent
mixture. Based on these results, the various parent mixtures were calcined at
500˚C. The obtained solid catalysts were characterized by using XRD, FT-IR
and N2-adsorption. The catalytic decomposition of N2O to N2 and O2 was carried out on the zinc-cobaltite catalysts. It was found that partial replacement
of Co2+ by Zn2+ in Co3O4 spinel oxide led to a significant improvement in their
N2O decomposition activity. Moreover, the catalytic activity was found to be
depended on the calcination temperature utilized.