Active sites in Cu-SSZ-13 deNOx catalyst under reaction conditions: a XAS/XES perspective

Recent Understanding of Low-Temperature Copper Dynamics in Cu-Chabazite NH3-SCR Catalysts

Dynamic motion of NH3-solvated Cu sites in Cu-chabazite (Cu-CHA) zeolites, which are the most promising and state-of-the-art catalysts for ammonia-assisted selective reduction of NOx (NH3-SCR) in the aftertreatment of diesel exhausts, represents a unique phenomenon linking heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. This review first summarizes recent advances in the theoretical understanding of such low-temperature Cu dynamics. Specifically, evidence of both intra-cage and inter-cage Cu motions, given by ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) or metadynamics simulations, will be highlighted. Then, we will show how, among others, synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy, vibrational and optical spectroscopy (diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and diffuse reflection ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (DRUVS)), electron paramagnetic spectroscopy (EPR), and impedance spectroscopy (IS) can be combined and complement each other to follow the evolution of coordinative environment and the local structure of Cu centers during low-temperature NH3-SCR reactions. Furthermore, the essential role of Cu dynamics in the tuning of low-temperature Cu redox, in the preparation of highly dispersed Cu-CHA catalysts by solid-state ion exchange method, and in the direct monitoring of NH3 storage and conversion will be presented. Based on the achieved mechanistic insights, we will discuss briefly the new perspectives in manipulating Cu dynamics to improve low-temperature NH3-SCR efficiency as well as in the understanding of other important reactions, such as selective methane-to-methanol oxidation and ethene dimerization, catalyzed by metal ion-exchanged zeolites.

Computational Insights into the Mechanism of the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO x : Fe- versus Cu-Exchanged Zeolite Catalysts

We computationally investigate the mechanism of the reduction half-cycle of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia. We compare both Fe- and Cu-exchanged zeolite catalysts and aim at exploring all accessible reaction pathways. From our calculations, a comprehensive picture emerges that unifies several previous mechanistic proposals. We find that both for Fe and for Cu catalysts different reaction pathways are feasible but some of the possible reaction pathways differ in these two cases. Our computational results provide a basis for the interpretation of in situ spectroscopic investigations that can possibly distinguish the different mechanistic pathways.

Local Environment Sensitivity of the Cu K-Edge XANES Features in Cu-SSZ-13: Analysis from First-Principles

Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectra (XANES) have been widely used to study the properties of Cu-SSZ-13. In this Letter, the sensitivity of the XANES features to the local environment for a Cu⁺ cation with a linear configuration and a Cu²⁺ cation with a square-linear configuration in Cu-SSZ-13 is reported. When a Cu⁺ cation is bonded to H₂O or NH₃ in a linear configuration, the XANES has a strong peak at around 8983 eV. The intensity of this peak decreases as the linear configuration is broken. As for the Cu²⁺ cations in a square-planar configuration with a coordination number of 4, two peaks at around 8986 and 8993 eV are found. An intensity decrease for both peaks at around 8986 and 8993 eV is found in an NH₃_4_Z₂Cu model as the N-Cu-N angle changes from 180 to 100°. We correlate these features to the variation of the 4p state by PDOS analysis. In addition, the feature peaks for both the Cu⁺ cation and Cu²⁺ cation do not show a dependence on the Cu-N bond length. We further show that the feature peaks also change when the coordination number of the Cu cation is varied, while these feature peaks are independent of the zeolite topology. These findings help elucidate the experimental XANES features at an atomic and an electronic level.

The Cu-CHA deNOx Catalyst in Action: Temperature-Dependent NH3-Assisted Selective Catalytic Reduction Monitored by Operando XAS and XES

The small-pore Cu-CHA zeolite is today the object of intensive research efforts to rationalize its outstanding performance in the NH3-assisted selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of harmful nitrogen oxides and to unveil the SCR mechanism. Herein we exploit operando X-ray spectroscopies to monitor the Cu-CHA catalyst in action during NH3-SCR in the 150-400 °C range, targeting Cu oxidation state, mobility, and preferential N or O ligation as a function of reaction temperature. By combining operando XANES, EXAFS, and vtc-XES, we unambiguously identify two distinct regimes for the atomic-scale behavior of Cu active-sites. Low-temperature SCR, up to ∼200 °C, is characterized by balanced populations of Cu(I)/Cu(II) sites and dominated by mobile NH3-solvated Cu-species. From 250 °C upward, in correspondence to the steep increase in catalytic activity, the largely dominant Cu-species are framework-coordinated Cu(II) sites, likely representing the active sites for high-temperature SCR.