Effects of synthesis methods on catalytic activities of CoOx-TiO2 for low-temperature NH3-SCR of NO

Effect of vanadium and tungsten loading order on the denitration performance of F-doped V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts

F-doped V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalyst has been confirmed to have excellent denitration activity at low temperatures. Since the V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalyst is a structure-sensitive catalyst, the loading order of V2O5 and WO3 may affect its denitration performance. In this paper, a series of F-doped V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts with different V2O5 and WO3 loading orders were synthesized to investigate the effect of denitration performance at low temperatures. It was found that the loading orders led to significant gaps in denitration performance in the range of 120-240 °C. The results indicated loading WO3 first better utilized the oxygen vacancies on the TiF carrier promoting the generation of reduced vanadium species. In addition, loading WO3 first facilitated the dispersion of V2O5 thus enhanced the NH3 adsorption capacity of VWTiF. In situ DRIFT verified the rapid reaction between NO2, nitrate, and nitrite species and adsorbed NH3 over the VWTiF, confirming that the NH3 selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) reaction over VWTiF at 240 °C proceeded by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanism. This research established the constitutive relationship between the loading order of V2O5 and WO3 and the denitration performance of the F-doped VWTi catalyst providing insights into the catalyst design process.

Design of Ca-type todorokite catalysts with highly active for the selective reduction of NOx by NH3 at low temperatures

Ca-type todorokite catalysts were designed and prepared by a simple redox method and applied to the selective reduction of NOx by NH3 (NH3-SCR) for the first time. Compared with the Na-type manjiroite prepared by the same method, the todorokite catalysts with different Mn/Ca ratios showed greatly improved catalytic activity for NOx reduction. Among them, Mn8Ca4 catalyst exhibited the best NH3-SCR performance, achieving 90% NOx conversion within temperature range of 70-275°C and having a high sulphur resistance. Compared to the Na-type manjiroite sample, Ca-type todorokite catalysts possessed an increased size of tunnel, resulting in a larger specific surface area. As increased the amounts of Ca doping, the Na content in Ca-type todorokite catalysts significantly decreased, providing larger amounts of Brønsted acid sites for NH3 adsorption to produce NH4+. The NH4+ species were highly active for reaction with NO + O2, playing a determining role in NH3-SCR process at low temperatures. Meanwhile, larger amounts of surface adsorbed oxygen contained over the Ca-doping samples than that over Na-type manjiroite, promoting the oxidation of NO and fast SCR processes. Over the Ca-type todorokite catalysts, furthermore, nitrates produced during the flow of NO + O2, were more active for reaction with NH3 than that over Na-type manjiroite, benefiting the occurrence of NH3-SCR process. This study provides novel insights into the design of NH3-SCR catalysts with high performance.

Boosting the catalytic performance of Cu-SAPO-34 in NOx removal via hydrothermal treatment

Phosphate ions promoted Cu-SAPO-34 (P-Cu-SAPO-34) were prepared using bulk CuO particles as Cu2+ precursor by a solid-state ion exchange technique for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR). The effects of high temperature (H-T) hydrothermal aging on the NOx removal (de-NOx) performance of Cu-SAPO-34 with and without phosphate ions were systematically investigated at atomic level. The results displayed that both Cu-SAPO-34 and P-Cu-SAPO-34 presented relatively poor NOx removal activity with a low conversion (< 30%) at 250-500°C. However, after H-T hydrothermal treatment (800°C for 10 hr at 10% H2O), these two samples showed significantly satisfied NOx elimination performance with a quite high conversion (70%-90%) at 250-500°C. Additionally, phosphate ions decoration can further enhance the catalytic performance of Cu-SAPO-34 after hydrothermal treatment (Cu-SAPO-34H). The textural properties, morphologies, structural feature, acidity, redox characteristic, and surface-active species of the fresh and hydrothermally aged samples were analyzed using various characterization methods. The systematical characterization results revealed that increases of 28% of the isolated Cu2+ active species (Cu2+-2Z, Cu (OH)+-Z) mainly from bulk CuO and 50% of the Brønsted acid sites, the high dispersion of isolated Cu2+ active component as well as the Brønsted acid sites were mainly responsible for the accepted catalytic activity of these two hydrothermally aged samples, especially for P-Cu-SAPO-34H.

Effect of Cu loading on the performance and kinetics of Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts for selective catalytic reduction with NH3

A series of X%Cu/SAPO-34 (X = 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0) catalysts were prepared by ultrasonic impregnation method for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with ammonia. The effect of different Cu loadings on the selective catalytic reduction of NO by molecular sieve catalysts was examined on a fixed-bed reactor. Catalyst physicochemical properties were characterized and analyzed using XRD, TEM, NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS. Catalysts were used in reaction kinetics studies from the perspective of transient and steady-state kinetics. Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading had the best denitrification efficiency and wide activity window. Copper species were highly dispersed on the catalyst surface. Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading had rich acidic sites and excellent redox performance. Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts with 4% Cu loading possess minimal activation energy and were lower than commercial catalysts. According to the results of in situ IR, transient and steady-state analysis, the Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading in the NH₃-SCR reaction process was mainly E-R mechanism, and there was L-H mechanism.

A review on identification, quantification, and transformation of active species in SCR by EPR spectroscopy

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the only technique that provides direct detection of free radicals and samples that contain unpaired electrons. Thus, EPR had an important potential application in the field of selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide (SCR). For the first time, this work reviewed recent developments of EPR in charactering SCR. First, qualitative analysis focused on recognizing Cu, Fe, V, Ti, Mn, and free-radical (oxygen vacancy and superoxide radical) species. Second, quantification of the active species was obtained by a double-integral and calibration method. Third, the active species evolved because of different thermal treatments and redox-thermal processes under reductants (NH₃ and NO). The coordination information of the active species in catalysts and their effects on SCR performances were concluded from mechanism viewpoints. Finally, potential perspectives were put forward for EPR developments in characterizing the SCR processes in the future. After all, EPR characterization will help to have a deep understanding of structure-activity relationship in one catalyst.

Bimetallic FeO x -MO x Loaded TiO2 (M = Cu, Co) Nanocomposite Photocatalysts for Complete Mineralization of Herbicides

A series of monometallic and bimetallic cocatalyst(s), comprising FeO _x , CuO _x , CoO _x , FeO _x -CuO _x , and FeO _x -CoO _x loaded TiO₂ catalysts prepared by the surface impregnation method, were investigated for the photocatalytic mineralization of the widely used four herbicides: 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). It was found that FeO _x -CoO _x /TiO₂ showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency toward mineralization of selected herbicides. FeO _x -CoO _x /TiO₂ achieves 92% TOC removal in 180 min, representing nearly three time activity of the benchmark PC50 TiO₂. From XPS analysis, FeOOH, CuO, and CoO were determined to be loaded onto the TiO₂ surface. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of the optimized FeO _x -CoO _x /TiO₂ sample for herbicides mineralization is due to an increased charge separation and enhanced hydroxyl radicals production monitored by diverse spectroscopies. Based on the proposed charge transfer mechanism, FeO _x -CoO _x cocatalyst species accelerate the transfer of photogenerated holes on TiO₂, thus facilitating hydroxyl radicals production.

Elucidating the facet-dependent reactivity of CrMn catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

The facet-dependent reactivity of CrMn catalysts was still unclear, hindering the further enhancement of their low-temperature SCR performance. Herein, the facet-dependent reactivity of CrMn_1.5O₄ catalyst for NH₃-SCR of NO_x was innovatively illustrated by numerous characterizations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Exposed (100) facet of CrMn_1.5O₄ catalyst exhibited best low-temperature SCR activity with ≥90 % NO conversion within 148-296 °C and 2.86 × 10^-3 mol/(g·s) reaction rate within 160-240 °C. The characterizations revealed that (100) facet could induce the increase of BET specific area, electron transfer, concentration of Mn⁴⁺ and O_α, surface acidity, redox ability, NH₃ and NO_x adsorption/activation capacity. Subsequently, DFT calculations demonstrated that (100) facet exhibited the strongest affinity for NH₃ and NO due to its unique 3O_3c-Mn_5c-2O_4c bond and abundant charges transfer near the active adsorption sites, and Brønsted acid and oxygen vacancies were most easily formed on (100) facet. Furthermore, H₂O formation as the rate determining step easily occurred on (100) facet. Eventually, we successfully improved the low-temperature SCR activity of CrMn_1.5O₄ catalyst by further tailoring highly active (100) facet from 0.754 to 0.865. This work provides the deeper understanding of facet-dependent reactivity and a good strategy to improve the catalytic activity of the catalysts.

LaOx modified MnOx loaded biomass activated carbon and its enhanced performance for simultaneous abatement of NO and Hg0

A battery of agricultural straw derived biomass activated carbons supported LaOx modified MnOx (LaMn/BACs) was prepared by a facile impregnation method and then tested for simultaneous abatement of NO and Hg0. 15%LaMn/BAC manifested excellent removal efficiency of Hg0 (100%) and NO (86.7%) at 180 °C, which also exhibited splendid resistance to SO2 and H2O. The interaction between Hg0 removal and NO removal was explored; thereinto, Hg0 removal had no influence on NO removal, while NO removal preponderated over Hg0 removal. The inhibitory effect of NH3 was greater than the accelerative effect of NO and O2 on Hg0 removal. The physicochemical characterization of related samples was characterized by SEM, XRD, BET, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, and XPS. After incorporating suitable LaOx into 15%Mn/BAC, the synergistic effect between LaOx and MnOx contributed to the improvement of BET surface area and total pore volume, the promotion of redox ability, surface active oxygen species, and acid sites, inhibiting the crystallization of MnOx. 15%LaMn/BAC has the best catalytic oxidation activity at low temperature. That might be answerable for superior performance and preferable tolerance to SO2 and H2O. The results indicated that 15%LaMn/BAC was a promising catalyst for simultaneous abatement of Hg0 and NO at low temperature.

Theoretical Design of Transition Metal-Doped TiO2 for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 by DFT Calculations

Many transition metal oxides supported on TiO2 have been studied for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3. However, the trade-off exists between the low-temperature activity and N2 selectivity....

Harvesting Hot Holes in Plasmon-Coupled Ultrathin Photoanodes for High-Performance Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

The harvesting of hot carriers produced by plasmon decay to generate electricity or drive a chemical reaction enables the reduction of the thermalization losses associated with supra-band gap photons in semiconductor photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. Through the broadband harvesting of light, hot-carrier PEC devices also produce a sensitizing effect in heterojunctions with wide-band gap metal oxide semiconductors possessing good photostability and catalytic activity but poor absorption of visible wavelength photons. There are several reports of hot electrons in Au injected over the Schottky barrier into crystalline TiO₂ and subsequently utilized to drive a chemical reaction but very few reports of hot hole harvesting. In this work, we demonstrate the efficient harvesting of hot holes in Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) covered with a thin layer of amorphous TiO₂ (a-TiO₂). Under AM1.5G 1 sun illumination, photoanodes consisting of a single layer of ∼50 nm diameter Au NPs coated with a 10 nm shell of a-TiO₂ (Au@a-TiO₂) generated 2.5 mA cm^-2 of photocurrent in 1 M KOH under 0.6 V external bias, rising to 3.7 mA cm^-2 in the presence of a hole scavenger (methanol). The quantum yield for hot-carrier-mediated photocurrent generation was estimated to be close to unity for high-energy photons (λ < 420 nm). Au@a-TiO₂ photoelectrodes produced a small positive photocurrent of 0.1 mA cm^-2 even at a bias of -0.6 V indicating extraction of hot holes even at a strong negative bias. These results together with density functional theory modeling and scanning Kelvin probe force microscope data indicate fast injection of hot holes from Au NPs into a-TiO₂ and light harvesting performed near-exclusively by Au NPs. For comparison, Au NPs coated with a 10 nm shell of Al₂O₃ (Au@Al₂O₃) generated 0.02 mA cm^-2 of photocurrent in 1 M KOH under 0.6 V external bias. These results underscore the critical role played by a-TiO₂ in the extraction of holes in Au@a-TiO₂ photoanodes, which is not replicated by an ordinary dielectric shell. It is also demonstrated here that an ultrathin photoanode (<100 nm in maximum thickness) can efficiently drive sunlight-driven water splitting.

A novel regeneration method for deactivated commercial NH3-SCR catalysts with promoted low-temperature activities

A novel route is developed for regeneration of deactivated commercial NH₃-SCR catalysts, which includes an initial in situ construction of anatase TiO₂ porous film, followed by loading of MnO_x, CeO_x, and Mn-Ce mixed oxides as active components. The regenerated catalysts present largely improved low-temperature denitrification performance due to the synergetic effect of MnO_x and CeO_x. The denitrification efficiency could reach a high value of 97% at 200 °C and 100% at 250 °C when the Ce-Mn mixed oxides are loaded at the optimized molar quantity ratio of 10:9 (Ce:Mn). Properties and reaction mechanisms of the regenerated catalysts are investigated with characterizations of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Our results demonstrate that the adsorption and oxidation of NO plays a crucial role for these three catalysts even though a difference exists on the reaction pathways. Graphical abstract.

A comparative study of MOx (M = Mn, Co and Cu) modifications over CePO4 catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

The MO_x (M = Cu, Mn, Co)/CePO₄ support was firstly prepared via the hydrothermal and impregnated method. Selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃ (NH₃-SCR) results showed that the MnO_x modifications greatly improved the SCR activities at low temperatures. The NOx conversion of the MnO_x/CePO₄ catalyst was above 80% even at 180 °C. In-situ DRIFTS results suggest that the SCR reaction is majorly conducted between the absorbed monodentate nitrate and NH₃ species (i.e., the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism). MOx (M = Cu, Mn, Co) exists in the formation of nano-size particles obtained by SEM and TEM directly. These nano-size particles can provide active surface adsorbed oxygen and thus improve the NO oxidation ability as indicated by the O₂-TPD and NO oxidation tests. The process of NO oxidation to NO₂ plays a key role to produce the absorbed monodentate nitrate as indicated by the In-situ DRIFTS. The support CePO₄ acts as the acid sites to form highly active NH₄⁺ species. The synergic effect between the MnO_x and CePO₄ contributed to the high SCR activity over the MnO_x/CePO₄ catalyst. Additionally, the MOx/CePO₄ catalyst exhibits an excellent water tolerance and N₂ selectivity. Consequently, the MnO_x/CePO₄ catalyst becomes the potential catalyst for the practical process.

Effect of iron loading on the performance and structure of Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

A series of Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts with different Fe contents were prepared by impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by TEM, XRD, H₂ temperature-programed reduction (H₂-TPR), temperature-programed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD), and in situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and the catalytic activity test was also carried out on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitration device. Results showed that the single metal iron-supported ZSM-5 catalyst has high deNO_x activity in the medium-high temperature range, and the optimal loading of Fe active component is 10 wt%; the deNO_x efficiency over 80% at the range of 350-450 °C and 431 °C reaches the maximum of 96.91%. Iron species can be finely dispersed on the surface of the carrier as amorphous oxides, and the crystalline structure of zeolite is retained. The significant redox performance, highly dispersed nanoparticles, and rich Lewis acid sites on the surface of catalyst are favorable for the SCR denitration reaction. Fe/ZSM-5 10 wt% catalyst has rich Lewis acid sites and less B acid sites and Lewis acidic sites play an important role during the reaction. Only Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanism existed during the NH₃-SCR reaction process, and there is no denitration reaction being accomplished by L-H mechanism at 150 °C.

A review of carbon-based and non-carbon-based catalyst supports for the selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide

Various types of carbon-based and non-carbon-based catalyst supports for nitric oxide (NO) removal through selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia are examined in this review. A number of carbon-based materials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), activated carbon (AC), and graphene (GR) and non-carbon-based materials, such as Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5), TiO2, and Al2O3 supported materials, were identified as the most up-to-date and recently used catalysts for the removal of NO gas. The main focus of this review is the study of catalyst preparation methods, as this is highly correlated to the behaviour of NO removal. The general mechanisms involved in the system, the Langmuir-Hinshelwood or Eley-Riedeal mechanism, are also discussed. Characterisation analysis affecting the surface and chemical structure of the catalyst is also detailed in this work. Finally, a few major conclusions are drawn and future directions for work on the advancement of the SCR-NH3 catalyst are suggested.

The structure evolution of biochar from biomass pyrolysis and its correlation with gas pollutant adsorption performance

Biochar is carbon-rich, porous and with a great potential in gas pollutant controlling. The physical-chemical structure of biochar is important for the application. This paper firstly reviewed the evolution behavior of physical-chemical structure for biochar during pyrolysis. At lower temperature (<500°C), biomass firstly transformed to "3D network of benzene rings" with abundant functional groups. With temperature increasing (500-700°C), it converted to "2D structure of fused rings" with abundant porosity. As temperature increasing further (>700°C), it may transit into a "graphite microcrystalline structure", the porosity and functional groups were diminished correspondingly. The modification of biochar and its application as sorbent for gas pollutant were also reviewed. Activation and doping can significantly increase the porosity and special functional groups in biochar, which is favorable for gas pollutant adsorption. With a higher porosity, the adsorption capacity of gas pollutant is bigger, however, the functional groups determined the sorption stability of gas pollutant.