Quantitative study of the NH3-SCR pathway and the active site distribution over CeWO at low temperatures

Insight into the mechanisms of activity promotion and SO2 resistance over Fe-doped Ce-W oxide catalyst for NOx reduction

Ceria-based catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR) are always subject to deactivation by sulfur poisoning. In this study, Fe-doped Ce-W mixed oxides, which were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, improved the SCR activity and SO2 durability at low temperatures of undoped Ce-W oxides. The improved low-temperature activity was mainly due to the enhancement of redox properties at low temperatures and more active oxygen species, together with the adsorption and activation of more abundant NOx species, facilitating the "fast SCR" reaction. In the presence of SO2, doping with Fe species effectively prevented sulfate deposition on the CeW catalyst, due to the interaction between Fe, Ce, and W species inducing electron transfer among different metal sites and altering the electron distribution. The competitive adsorption behavior between NO and SO2 was changed by Fe doping, in which the adsorption and oxidation of SO2 were restrained. Besides, the elevated NO oxidation accelerated the decomposition of ammonium bisulfate, causing the SCR reaction to not be greatly suppressed. Hence, Fe-doped Ce-W oxides catalysts showed excellent sulfur resistance. This study provides an in-depth understanding of efficient Ce-based catalysts for SO2-tolerance strategies.

NOx emission deterioration in modern heavy-duty diesel vehicles based on long-term real driving measurements

NOx emissions from diesel vehicles generally deteriorate with increased durability mileage owing to the wear and deterioration of engines and after-treatment systems. Three China-VI heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) were selected for four-phase long-term real driving emission (RDE) tests using the portable emission measurement system (PEMS). After 200,000 km of on-road driving, the maximum NOx emission factor of the test vehicles (387.06 mg/kWh) was found to be significantly lower than the NOx limit of 690 mg/kWh. Under all driving conditions, the NOx conversion efficiency of selected catalytic reduction (SCR) decreased almost linearly as the durability mileage increased. Importantly, the deterioration rate of the NOx conversion efficiency in low-temperature intervals was discernibly higher than that in high-temperature intervals. The NOx conversion efficiency at 200 °C dropped by 16.67-19.82% with higher durability mileage; however, the highest values at 275-400 °C only decreased by 4.11%. Interestingly, the SCR catalyst at 250 °C showed strong NOx conversion efficiency and durability (maximum decline of 2.11%). Overall, the poor de-NOx performance of SCR catalysts at low temperatures significantly challenges the long-term effective control of NOx emissions from HDDVs. Thus, improving the NOx conversion efficiency and durability at low-temperature intervals is the top priority for SCR catalyst optimization; NOx emissions from HDDVs at low velocities and loads should also be monitored by environmental authorities. The linear fitting coefficient for the NOx emission factors of the four-phase RDE tests was 0.90-0.92, indicating that NOx emissions deteriorated linearly with an increase in mileage. Based on the linear fitting results, the NOx emission control of the test vehicles during 700,000 km of on-road driving was highly likely to be qualified. These results can be used by environmental authorities to supervise the NOx emission conformity of in-use HDDVs after validation using other types of vehicles.

Revealing the Dynamic Behavior of Active Sites on Acid-Functionalized CeO2 Catalysts for NOx Reduction

Unraveling the dynamics of the active sites upon CeO₂-based catalysts in selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides by ammonia (NH₃-SCR) is challenging. In this work, we prepared tungsten-acidified and sulfated CeO₂ catalysts and used operando spectroscopy to reveal the dynamics of acid sites and redox sites on catalysts during NH₃-SCR reaction. We found that both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites are needed to participate in the catalytic reaction. Notably, Brønsted acid sites are the main active sites after a tungsten-acidified or sulfated treatment, and the change of Brønsted acid sites significantly affects the NO_x removal. Moreover, acid functionalization promotes the cerium species cycle between Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ for the NO_x reduction. This work is critical to deeply understanding the natural properties of active sites, and it also provides new insights into the mechanism for NH₃-SCR over CeO₂-based catalysts.

Preparation of high temperature NH3-SCR catalysts with carbonate as precursors by ball milling method

High-temperature 10Ce-2La/TiO2 catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 were prepared by the ball milling, impregnation and co-precipitation methods and their catalytic performance was compared. The effects of different starting materials of the ball milling method on the catalytic activity were investigated. The results showed that the 10Ce-2La/TiO2 catalyst prepared by the ball milling method using carbonates as starting materials exhibited the highest NO conversion, which was more than 80% in the temperature range of 330-550 °C. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, and XPS. Results showed that the ball milling prepared 10Ce-2La/TiO2 had the advantages of uniform active site distribution, high oxygen storage capacity, and high Ce3+ and Oα ratio. The results of NH3-TPD and H2-TPR showed that the ball milling method not only improved the redox ability but also increased the quantities and concentration of the acidic sites. The green production and economically viable concept of this process provides a new solution for the production application of industrial catalysts.

Protection Effect of Ammonia on CeNbTi NH3-SCR Catalyst from SO2 Poisoning

CeNbTi catalyst was poisoned in different sulfur poisoning atmospheres at 300 °C for 6 h and then was evaluated for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3. The catalyst deactivation upon SO2 exposure was effectively inhibited in the presence of NH3. Temperature-programmed decomposition (TPD) analyses were applied to identify deposit species on the poisoned catalysts by comparison with several groups of reference samples. Diffuses reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) over CeNbTi catalysts with different poisoning pretreatments and gas purging sequences were designed to investigate the roles of NH3 in the removal of surface sulfites and sulfates. More ammonium sulfates including ammonium bisulfate and ammonium cerium sulfate were generated instead of inert cerium sulfate in these conditions. The mechanisms about the formation and transformation of surface deposits upon sulfur poisoning w/wo NH3 were explored, which provided a basis for developing Ce-based mixed oxides as SCR catalysts for stationary sources.

The promoting/inhibiting effect of water vapor on the selective catalytic reduction of NOx

In the field of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) abatement, developing selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts that can operate stably in the practical conditions remains a big challenge because of the complexity and uncertainty of actual flue gas emissions. As water vapor is unavoidable in the actual flue gas, it is indispensable to explore its effect on the performance of SCR catalysts. Many studies have proved that the effects of H₂O on de-NO_x activity of SCR catalysts were indeed observed during SCR reactions operated under wet conditions. Whether the effect is promotive or inhibitory depends on the reaction conditions, catalyst types and reducing agents used in SCR reaction. This review focuses on the effect of H₂O on SCR catalysts and SCR reaction, including promoting effect, inhibiting effect, as well as the effecting mechanism. Besides, various strategies for developing a water-resistant SCR catalyst are also included. We hope that this work can give a more comprehensive insight into the effects of H₂O on SCR catalysts and help with the rational design of water-resistant SCR catalysts for further practical application in NO_x abatement field.

Recent advances and perspectives in the resistance of SO2 and H2O of cerium-based catalysts for NOx selective catalytic reduction with ammonia

This review emphasizes the aspects related to cerium-based catalysts at different levels: metal modification, preparation methods, structures, and reaction mechanisms.

Reaction Pathways of Standard and Fast Selective Catalytic Reduction over Cu-SSZ-39

Cu-SSZ-39 exhibits excellent hydrothermal stability and is expected to be used for NO_x purification in diesel vehicles. In this work, the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) activities in the presence or absence of NO₂ were tested over Cu-SSZ-39 catalysts with different Cu contents. The results showed that the NO_x conversion of Cu-SSZ-39 was improved by NO₂ when NO₂/NO_x = 0.5, especially for the catalysts with low Cu loadings. The kinetic studies showed two kinetic regimes for fast SCR from 150 to 220 °C due to a change in the rate-controlling mechanism. The activity test and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra demonstrated that the reduction of NO mainly occurred on the Cu species in the absence of feed NO₂, and when NO₂/NO = 1, NO could react with NH₄NO₃ on the Brønsted acid sites in addition to undergoing reduction on Cu species. Thus, NO₂ can promote the SCR reaction over Cu-SSZ-39 by facilitating the formation of surface nitrate species.

Selective catalytic reductive removal of NOx with decreased interference from SO2 and H2O by use of Sm-modified SmxCo0.05-xCe0.05Ti0.9Oy catalysts

This work presents a novel and highly efficient NH₃-SCR catalyst, Sm-modified CoCeTiO_x, synthesized by a simple one-step sol-gel method. The optimum Sm_0.03Co_0.02Ce_0.05Ti_0.9O_x catalyst with a high BET surface area shows more than 90% NO conversion and nearly 100 % N₂ selectivity at 180-440 °C. We investigated the relationship between Sm content and surface reactivity using NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, XPS, and in-situ DRIFTS. It demonstrated that the Sm-doping could precisely regulate the acidity and redox ability of the Sm_aCo_0.05-aCe_0.05Ti_0.9O_x catalyst. Sm helped develop paths for fast electron transport, in which a charge transfer bridge was built between the Ce and Co, largely favoring the redox cycle. The nature of the acid sites, NO_x adsorption, and the reactivity of surface adsorption species was characterized via in-situ DRIFTS. Moreover, the addition of Sm weakened the adsorption capacity of SO₂ on the catalyst surface. We found that the electron transfer between SO₂ and the activity sites was hindered on the modified catalyst.

Catalytic performance and mechanistic evaluation of sulfated CeO2 cubes for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia

Sulfated CeO₂ cubes were prepared by the impregnation of CeO₂ cubes by ammonium sulfates, and further evaluated in selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with ammonia (NH₃-SCR). Catalytic activity tests indicated that NO_x reduction conversions and N₂ selectivity of sulfated CeO₂ cubes could be significantly improved compared to pure CeO₂ cubes. The synthesized sulfated CeO₂ cubes were further characterized by atom-resolved high angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) by pyridine adsorption, and temperature-programmed reduction by H₂ (H₂-TPR). The characterization results showed that sulfates were primarily dispersed through the corners, edges, and surfaces of CeO₂ cubes, and did not significantly affect the crystal structures of CeO₂ cubes. Sulfation treatment could create and strengthen Brønsted acid sites originated from the protons on surface sulfates, further facilitating ammonia adsorption and activation. The kinetic data indicated that the apparent reaction order of NO, O₂, and NH₃ was 0.95 to 1.01, -0.01 to 0.00, and -0.18 to -0.15, respectively. It could speculate that gaseous phase NO involving in NO catalytic oxidation was the rate-determining step over sulfated CeO₂ cubes for NH₃-SCR reaction. The presence of NH₃ slightly inhibited the SCR reaction rate due to the competitive adsorption blocking NO oxidation sites.

Effects of ferric and manganese precursors on catalytic activity of Fe-Mn/TiO2 catalysts for selective reduction of NO with ammonia at low temperature

Fe-Mn/TiO₂ catalysts were prepared through the wet impregnation process to selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃ at low temperature, and series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of key precursors on their SCR performance. Ferric nitrate, ferrous sulfate, and ferrous chloride were chosen as Fe precursors while manganese nitrate, manganese acetate, and manganese chloride as Mn precursors. These precursors had been commonly used to prepare Fe-Mn/TiO₂ catalysts by numerous researchers. The results showed that there were distinct differences in NO conversion efficiencies at low temperature of catalysts prepared with different precursors. Catalysts prepared with ferric nitrate and manganese nitrate precursors exhibited the best catalytic performance at low temperature, while three kinds of catalysts prepared with manganese chloride precursors exhibited significantly low catalytic activity. All catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD, and XPS. The results indicated that when the catalysts were prepared with manganese nitrate or manganese acetate as precursors, Mn⁴⁺ contents and O_β/(O_β + O_α) ratios decreased in an order of ferric nitrate > ferrous sulfate > ferrous chloride, which was consistent with the change of catalytic activities of the corresponding catalysts at low temperature. It can be found that the excellent catalytic performance of Fe(A)-Mn(a)/TiO₂ was ascribed to high redox property and enrichment of Mn⁴⁺species and surface chemical labile oxygen groups.

Ultralow loading of nanostructured Mn species onto two-dimensional Co3O4 nanosheets for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

We report a facile method for dispersing Mn species onto two-dimensional Co₃O₄ nanosheets at the nanoscale for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃.

Quantitative determination of the Cu species, acid sites and NH3-SCR mechanism on Cu-SSZ-13 and H-SSZ-13 at low temperatures

The NH₃-SCR mechanism and the number of acid sites and various Cu species on Cu-SSZ-13 and H-SSZ-13 were quantitatively determined.

Inhibitory role of excessive NH3 in NH3-SCR on CeWOx at low temperatures

An inhibitory effect of excessive NH₃ on NH₃-SCR on CeWO_x at low temperatures was found, and H₂O rendered the inhibitory effect insignificant for standard SCR.

Tunable preparation of highly dispersed Ni x Mn-LDO catalysts derived from Ni x Mn-LDHs precursors and application in low-temperature NH3-SCR reactions

A series of Ni x Mn bimixed metal oxides (Ni x Mn-LDO) were prepared via calcining Ni x Mn layered double hydroxides (Ni x Mn-LDHs) precursors at 400 °C and applied as catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO x with NH3. The DeNO x performance of catalysts was optimized by adjusting the Ni/Mn molar ratios of Ni x Mn-LDO precursors, in which Ni5Mn-LDO exhibited above 90% NO x conversion and N2 selectivity at a temperature zone of 180-360 °C. Besides, Ni5Mn-LDO possessed considerable SO2 & H2O resistance and outstanding stability. Multiple characterization techniques were used to analyze the physicochemical properties of the catalysts. The analysis results indicated that all catalysts had the same active species Ni6MnO8, while their particle sizes showed significant differences. Notably, the uniform distribution of active species particles in the Ni5Mn-LDO catalyst provided the rich surface acidity and suitable redox ability which were the primary causes for its desirable DeNO x property.

The effects of H2O on a vanadium-based catalyst for NH3-SCR at low temperatures: a quantitative study of the reaction pathway and active sites

The effects of H₂O on the adsorption amounts of NO, NO₂, and NH₃, NH₃-SCR reaction pathway and active site distribution over V₂O₅/WO₃–TiO₂ at low temperatures were quantitatively studied by the TRM and TPSR.