Nb-modified Ce/Ti oxide catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 at low temperature

Abstract

Recently, great attention has been paid to Ceria-based materials for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with NH3 owing to their unique redox, oxygen storage, and acid-base properties. Two series of bimetallic catalysts issued from Titania modified by Ce and Nb were prepared by the one-step sol-gel method (SG) and by the sol-gel route followed by impregnation (WI). The resulting core-shell and bulk catalysts were tested in NH3-SCR of NOx. The impregnated Nb5/Ce40/Ti100 (WI) catalyst displayed 95% NOx conversion at 200 °C (GHSV = 60,000 mL·g−1·h−1, 1000 ppm NOx, 1000 ppm NH3, 5% O2/He) without forming N2O. The catalysts were characterized by various methods including ICP-OES, N2-physisorption, XRD, Raman, NH3-TPD, DRIFTS, XPS, and H2-TPR. The results showed that the introduction of Nb decreases the surface area and strengthens the surface acidity. This behavior can be explained by the strong interaction between Ceria and Titania which generates Ce-O-Ti units, as well as a high concentration of amorphous or highly dispersed Niobia. This should be the reason for the excellent performance of the catalyst prepared by the sol-gel method followed by impregnation. Furthermore, Nb5/Ce40/Ti100 (WI) has the largest NH3 adsorption capacity, which is helpful to promote the NH3-SCR reaction. The long-term stability and the effect of H2O on the catalysts were also evaluated.