Fabrication of Hierarchically Porous RuO2–CuO/Al–ZrO2 Composite as Highly Efficient Catalyst for Ammonia-Selective Catalytic Oxidation

Low-temperature NH3 abatement via selective oxidation over a supported copper catalyst with high Cu+ abundance

Selective catalytic NH3-to-N2 oxidation (NH3-SCO) is highly promising for abating NH3 emissions slipped from stationary flue gas after-treatment devices. Its practical application, however, is limited by the non-availability of low-cost catalysts with high activity and N2 selectivity. Here, using defect-rich nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT-AW) as the support, we developed a highly active and durable copper-based NH3-SCO catalyst with a high abundance of cuprous (Cu+) sites. The obtained Cu/NCNT-AW catalyst demonstrated outstanding activity with a T50 (i.e. the temperature to reach 50% NH3 conversion) of 174°C in the NH3-SCO reaction, which outperformed not only the Cu catalyst supported on N-free O-functionalized CNTs (OCNTs) or NCNT with less surface defects, but also those most active Cu catalysts in open literature. Reaction kinetics measurements and temperature-programmed surface reactions using NH3 as a probe molecule revealed that the NH3-SCO reaction on Cu/NCNT-AW follows an internal selective catalytic reaction (i-SCR) route involving nitric oxide (NO) as a key intermediate. According to mechanistic investigations by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the superior NH3-SCO performance of Cu/NCNT-AW originated from a synergy of surface defects and N-dopants. Specifically, surface defects promoted the anchoring of CuO nanoparticles on N-containing sites and, thereby, enabled efficient electron transfer from N to CuO, increasing significantly the fraction of SCR-active Cu+ sites in the catalyst. This study puts forward a new idea for manipulating and utilizing the interplay of defects and N-dopants on carbon surfaces to fabricate Cu+-rich Cu catalysts for efficient abatement of slip NH3 emissions via selective oxidation.

Asymmetric Coordination of Single-Atom Ru Sites Achieves Efficient N(sp3)-H Dehydrogenation Catalysis for Ammonia Oxidation

Ruthenium single-atom catalysts have great potential in ammonia-selective catalytic oxidation (NH3-SCO); however, the stable sp3 hybrid orbital of NH3 molecules makes N(sp3)-H dissociation a challenge for conventional symmetrical metallic oxide catalysts. Herein, we propose a heterogeneous interface reverse atom capture strategy to construct Ru with unique asymmetric Ru1N2O1 coordination. Ru1N2O1/CeO2 exhibits intrinsic low-temperature conversion (T100 at 160 °C) compared to symmetric coordinated Ru-based (280 °C), Ir-based (220 °C), and Pt-based (200 °C) catalysts, and the TOF is 65.4 times that of Ag-based catalysts. The experimental and theoretical studies show that there is a strong d-p orbital interaction between Ru and N atoms, which not only enhances the adsorption of ammonia at the Ru1N2O1 position but also optimizes the electronic configuration of Ru. Furthermore, the affinity of Ru1N2O1/CeO2 to water is significantly weaker than that of conventional catalysts (the binding energy of the Pd3Au1 catalyst is -1.19 eV, but it is -0.39 eV for our material), so it has excellent water resistance. Finally, the N(sp3)-H activation of NH3 requires the assistance of surface reactive oxygen species, but we found that asymmetric Ru1N2O1 can directly activate the N(sp3)-H bond without the involvement of surface reactive oxygen species. This study provides a novel principle for the rational design of the proximal coordination of active sites to achieve its optimal catalytic activity in single-atom catalysis.

The Unique CO Activation Effects for Boosting NH3 Selective Catalytic Oxidation over CuOx-CeO2

Slip NH₃ is a priority pollutant of concern to be removed in various flue gases with NO_x and CO after denitrification using NH₃-SCR or NH₃-SNCR, and the simultaneous catalytic removal of NH₃ and CO has become one of the new topics in the deep treatment of such flue gases. Synergistic catalytic oxidation of CO and NH₃ appears to be a promising method but still has many challenges. Due to the competition for active oxidizing species, CO was supposed to hinder the NH₃ selective catalytic oxidation (NH₃-SCO). However, it is first found that CO could significantly promote NH₃-SCO over the CuO_x-CeO₂ catalyst. The NH₃ conversion rates increased linearly with CO concentrations in the range of 180-300 °C. Specifically, it accelerated by 2.8 times with 10,000 ppm CO inflow at 220 °C. Mechanism studies found that the Cu-O-Ce solid solution was more active for CO oxidation, while the CuO_x species facilitated the NH₃ dehydrogenation and mitigated the competition of NH₃ and CO, further stabilizing the promotion effects. Gaseous CO boosted the generation of active isolated oxygen atoms (O_i) by actuating the Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ redox cycle. The enriched O_i facilitated oxidation of NH₃ to NO and was conducive to the NH₃-SCO via the i-SCR approach. This study tapped the potential of CO for promoting simultaneous catalytic oxidation of coexisting pollutants in the flue gas.

CuCeOx/VMT powder and monolithic catalyst for CO-selective catalytic reduction of NO with CO

The reaction path of a CuCe/VMT(M) catalyst in the CO-SCR reaction at N2O low temperature was found.

Progress on Noble Metal-Based Catalysts Dedicated to the Selective Catalytic Ammonia Oxidation into Nitrogen and Water Vapor (NH3-SCO)

A recent development for selective ammonia oxidation into nitrogen and water vapor (NH3-SCO) over noble metal-based catalysts is covered in the mini-review. As ammonia (NH3) can harm human health and the environment, it led to stringent regulations by environmental agencies around the world. With the enforcement of the Euro VI emission standards, in which a limitation for NH3 emissions is proposed, NH3 emissions are becoming more and more of a concern. Noble metal-based catalysts (i.e., in the metallic form, noble metals supported on metal oxides or ion-exchanged zeolites, etc.) were rapidly found to possess high catalytic activity for NH3 oxidation at low temperatures. Thus, a comprehensive discussion of property-activity correlations of the noble-based catalysts, including Pt-, Pd-, Ag- and Au-, Ru-based catalysts is given. Furthermore, due to the relatively narrow operating temperature window of full NH3 conversion, high selectivity to N2O and NOx as well as high costs of noble metal-based catalysts, recent developments are aimed at combining the advantages of noble metals and transition metals. Thus, also a brief overview is provided about the design of the bifunctional catalysts (i.e., as dual-layer catalysts, mixed form (mechanical mixture), hybrid catalysts having dual-layer and mixed catalysts, core-shell structure, etc.). Finally, the general conclusions together with a discussion of promising research directions are provided.

Multipollutant Control (MPC) of Flue Gas from Stationary Sources Using SCR Technology: A Critical Review

The emission of gaseous pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels is believed to be one of the most serious environmental challenges in the 21st century. Given the increasing demands of multipollutant control (MPC) via adsorption or catalysis technologies, such as NO_x, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals (Hg etc.), and ammonia, and considering investment costs and site space, the use of existing equipment, especially the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to convert pollutants into harmless or readily adsorbed substances, is one of the most practical approaches. Consequently, many efforts have been directed at achieving the simultaneous elimination of multipollutants in a SCR convertor, and this method has been widely used to mitigate the stationary emission of NO_x. However, the development of active, selective, stable, and multifunctional catalysts/adsorbents suitable for large-scale commercialization remains challenging. Herein, we summarize recent works on the applications of SCR in MPC, describing the approaches of (i) SCR + VOCs oxidation, (ii) SCR + heavy metal control, and (iii) SCR + NH₃ reduction to reveal that the efficiency of simultaneous elimination depends on catalyst composition and flue gas parameters. Furthermore, the synergistic promotional/inhibitory effects between SCR and VOCs/ammonia/heavy metal oxidations are shown to be the key to the feasibility of the reactions.

Selective catalytic oxidation of NH3 over noble metal-based catalysts: state of the art and future prospects

The state of the art and future prospects for selective catalytic oxidation of NH₃ over noble metal-based catalysts are presented.

Preparation of RuO2-TiO2/Nano-graphite composite anode for electrochemical degradation of ceftriaxone sodium

Graphite-like material is widely used for preparing various electrodes for wastewater treatment. To enhance the electrochemical degradation efficiency of Nano-graphite (Nano-G) anode, RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G composite anode was prepared through the sol-gel method and hot-press technology. RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N₂ adsorption-desorption. Results showed that RuO₂, TiO₂ and Nano-G were composited successfully, and RuO₂ and TiO₂ nanoparticles were distributed uniformly on the surface of Nano-G sheet. Specific surface area of RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G composite was higher than that of TiO₂/Nano-G composite and Nano-G. Electrochemical performances of RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G anode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G anode was applied to electrochemical degradation of ceftriaxone. The generation of hydroxyl radical (OH) was measured. Results demonstrated that RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G anode displayed enhanced electrochemical degradation efficiency towards ceftriaxone and yield of OH, which is derived from the synergetic effect between RuO₂, TiO₂ and Nano-G, which enhance the specific surface area, improve the electrochemical oxidation activity and lower the charge transfer resistance. Besides, the possible degradation intermediates and pathways of ceftriaxone sodium were identified. This study may provide a viable and promising prospect for RuO₂-TiO₂/Nano-G anode towards effective electrochemical degradation of antibiotics from wastewater.

Anchoring High-Concentration Oxygen Vacancies at Interfaces of CeO(2-x)/Cu toward Enhanced Activity for Preferential CO Oxidation

Catalysts are urgently needed to remove the residual CO in hydrogen feeds through selective oxidation for large-scale applications of hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cells. We herein propose a new methodology that anchors high concentration oxygen vacancies at interface by designing a CeO2-x/Cu hybrid catalyst with enhanced preferential CO oxidation activity. This hybrid catalyst, with more than 6.1% oxygen vacancies fixed at the favorable interfacial sites, displays nearly 100% CO conversion efficiency in H2-rich streams over a broad temperature window from 120 to 210 °C, strikingly 5-fold wider than that of conventional CeO2/Cu (i.e., CeO2 supported on Cu) catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst exhibits a highest cycling stability ever reported, showing no deterioration after five cycling tests, and a super long-time stability beyond 100 h in the simulated operation environment that involves CO2 and H2O. On the basis of an arsenal of characterization techniques, we clearly show that the anchored oxygen vacancies are generated as a consequence of electron donation from metal copper atoms to CeO2 acceptor and the subsequent reverse spillover of oxygen induced by electron transfer in well controlled nanoheterojunction. The anchored oxygen vacancies play a bridging role in electron capture or transfer and drive molecule oxygen into active oxygen species to interact with the CO molecules adsorbed at interfaces, thus leading to an excellent preferential CO oxidation performance. This study opens a window to design a vast number of high-performance metal-oxide hybrid catalysts via the concept of anchoring oxygen vacancies at interfaces.

Advances in selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia to dinitrogen: a review

Selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia to dinitrogen.