NH3-SCR performance and the resistance to SO2 for Nb doped vanadium based catalyst at low temperatures

Interface sites on vanadia-based catalysts are highly active for NOx removal under realistic conditions

TiO2-supported V2O5 catalysts are commonly used in NOx reduction with ammonia due to their robust catalytic performance. Over these catalysts, it is generally considered that the active species are mainly derived from the vanadia species rather than the intrinsic structure of V-O-Ti entities, namely the interface sites. To reveal the role of V-O-Ti entities in NH3-SCR, herein, we prepared TiO2/V2O5 catalysts and demonstrated that V-O-Ti entities were more active for NOx reduction under wet conditions than the V sites (V=O) working alone. On the V-O-Ti entities, kinetic measurements and first principles calculations revealed that NH3 activation exhibited a much lower energy barrier than that on V=O sites. Under wet conditions, the V-O-Ti interface significantly inhibited the transformation of V=O to V-OH sites thus benefiting NH3 activation. Under wet conditions, meanwhile, the migration of NH4+ from Ti site neighboring the V-O-Ti interface to Ti site of the V-O-Ti interface was exothermic; thus, V-O-Ti entities together with neighboring Ti sites could serve as channels linking NH3 pool and active centers for activation of NH4+. This finding reveals that the V-O-Ti interface sites on V-based catalysts play a crucial role in NOx removal under realistic conditions, providing a new perspective on NH3-SCR mechanism.

Nb-doped NiO nanoflowers for nitrite electroreduction to ammonia

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite to ammonia (NO2RR) is considered as an appealing route to simultaneously achieve sustainable ammonia production and abate hazardous nitrite pollution. Herein, atomically Nb-doped NiO nanoflowers are designed as a high-performance NO2RR catalyst, which exhibits the highest NH3-Faradaic efficiency of 92.4% with an NH3 yield rate of 200.5 μmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.6 V RHE. Theoretical calculations unravel that Nb dopants can act as Lewis acid sites to render effective NO2- activation, decreased protonation energy barriers, and restricted hydrogen evolution, ultimately leading to a high NO2RR selectivity and activity.

Technological solutions for NOx, SOx, and VOC abatement: recent breakthroughs and future directions

NOx, SOx, and carbonaceous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are extremely harmful to the environment, and their concentrations must be within the limits prescribed by the region-specific pollution control boards. Thus, NOx, SOx, and VOC abatement is essential to safeguard the environment. Considering the importance of NOx, SOx, and VOC abatement, the discussion on selective catalytic reduction, oxidation, redox methods, and adsorption using noble metal and non-noble metal-based catalytic approaches were elaborated. This article covers different thermal treatment techniques, category of materials as catalysts, and its structure-property insights along with the advanced oxidation processes and adsorption. The defect engineered catalysts with lattice oxygen vacancies, bi- and tri-metallic noble metal catalysts and non-noble metal catalysts, modified metal organic frameworks, mixed-metal oxide supports, and their mechanisms have been thoroughly reviewed. The main hurdles and potential achievements in developing novel simultaneous NOx, SOx, and VOC removal technologies are critically discussed to envisage the future directions. This review highlights the removal of NOx, SOx, and VOC through material selection, properties, and mechanisms to further improve the existing abatement methods in an efficient way.

SO2 Poisoning and Recovery of Copper-Based Activated Carbon Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 at Low Temperature

A series of materials based on activated carbon (AC) with copper deposited in various amounts were prepared using an incipient wetness impregnation method and tested as catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia. The samples were poisoned with SO2 and regenerated in order to analyze their susceptibility to deactivation by the harmful component of exhaust gas. NO conversion over the fresh catalyst doped with 10 wt.% of Cu reached 81% of NO conversion at 140 °C and about 90% in the temperature range of 260–300 °C. The rate of poisoning with SO2 was dependent on Cu loading, but in general, it lowered NO conversion due to the formation of (NH4)2SO4 deposits that blocked the active sites of the catalysts. After regeneration, the catalytic activity of the materials was restored and NO conversion exceeded 70% for all of the samples.

Recent Progress on Improving Low-Temperature Activity of Vanadia-Based Catalysts for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx with Ammonia

Selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR) has been successfully applied to abate NOx from diesel engines and coal-fired industries on a large scale. Although V2O5-WO3(MoO3)/TiO2 catalysts have been utilized in commercial applications, novel vanadia-based catalysts have been recently developed to meet the increasing requirements for low-temperature catalytic activity. In this article, recent progress on the improvement of the low-temperature activity of vanadia-based catalysts is reviewed, including modification with metal oxides and nonmetal elements and the use of novel supports, different synthesis methods, metal vanadates and specific structures. Investigation of the NH3-SCR reaction mechanism, especially at low temperatures, is also emphasized. Finally, for low-temperature NH3-SCR, some suggestions are given regarding the opportunities and challenges of vanadia-based catalysts in future research.

Promoting SO2 Resistance of a CeO2(5)-WO3(9)/TiO2 Catalyst for Hg0 Oxidation via Adjusting the Basicity and Acidity Sites Using a CuO Doping Method

The competition between SO₂ and elemental mercury (Hg⁰) for active sites was an important factor for suppressing the Hg⁰ oxidation properties of catalysts. There were obvious differences in properties of basicity and acidity between SO₂ and Hg⁰. Raising the SO₂ resistance via adjusting the basicity and acidity sites of catalysts was promising for reducing the competition between SO₂ and Hg⁰. This study aimed to form multiple active sites with different basicities via Cu, Fe, Mn, and Sn doping. The results indicated that Cu doping had the best modification performance. Five percent CuO doping could significantly improve the SO₂ resistance of CuO(5)-CeO₂(5)-WO₃(9)/TiO₂ and increase the mercury oxidation efficiency (MOE) from 54.7 to 85.5% in the condition (6% O₂, 100 ppm NO, 100 ppm NH₃, and 100 ppm SO₂). CO₂ temperature-programmed desorption analysis showed that CuO(5)-CeO₂(5)-WO₃(9)/TiO₂ exhibited weak basic sites (CeO₂), medium-strong basic sites (Cu-O-Ce), and strong basic sites (CuO). Therefore, the CuO in the Ce-O-Cu structure was prioritized for the reaction with acid gas SO₂ and protected CeO₂ from SO₂ poisoning. This study prepared a highly SO₂-resistant catalyst for Hg⁰ oxidation. This research and development will be conducive for use in Hg⁰ oxidation in actual coal-fired flue gases.

Promotional effects of modified TiO2- and carbon-supported V2O5- and MnOx-based catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx: a review

This review presents the promotional effects of transition metal modification over TiO₂- and carbon-supported V₂O₅- and MnO_x-based SCR catalysts.

Study on the denitrification performance of FexLayOz/activated coke for NH3-SCR and the effect of CO escaped from activated coke at mid-high temperature on catalytic activity

Currently, activated coke is widely used in the removal of multiple pollutants from industrial flue gas. In this paper, a series of novel Fe_xLa_yO_z/AC catalysts was prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation for NH₃-SCR denitrification reaction. The introduction of Fe-La bimetal oxides significantly improved the denitrification performance of activated coke at mid-high temperature, and 4% Fe_0.3La_0.7O_1.5/AC exhibited a superior NO_x conversion efficiency of 90.1% at 400 °C. The catalysts were further characterized by BET, SEM, XRD, Raman, EPR, XPS, FTIR, NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, et al., whose results showed that the perovskite-type oxide of LaFeO₃ and oxygen vacancies were produced on the catalysts' surfaces during roasting. Fe-La doping enhanced the amount of acid sites (mainly Lewis and other stronger acid sites) and the content of multifarious oxygen species, which were beneficial for NO_x removal at mid-high temperature. Moreover, it was investigated that the effect of released CO from activated coke at mid-high temperature on the NO_x removal through the lifetime test, in which it was found that a large amount of CO produced by pyrolysis of activated coke could promote the NO_x removal, and long-term escaping of CO on the activated coke carrier did not have a significant negative impact on catalytic performance. The results of the TG-IR test showed that volatile matter is released from the activated coke while TG results showed that the weight loss rate of 4% Fe_0.3La_0.7O_1.5/AC only was 0.0015~0.007%/min at 300-400 °C. Hence, 4% Fe_0.3La_0.7O_1.5/AC had excellent thermal stability and denitrification performance to be continuously used at mid-high temperature. Finally, the mechanisms were proposed on the basis of experiments and characterization results.

The balance of acidity and redox capability over modified CeO2 catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

The effect of acidity and redox capability over sulfuric acid-modified CeO₂ catalysts were studied for the selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH₃ (NH₃-SCR). The deposition of sulfate significantly enhanced the catalytic performance over CeO₂. NO_x conversion over 4H₂SO₄/CeO₂ at 230-440 °C was higher than 90%. The strong redox capability of CeO₂ could result in unselective NH₃ oxidation and decrease high temperatures catalytic activity and N₂ selectivity. The deposition of sulfate increased the acidity and weakened the redox capability, and then increased the high temperature NO_x conversion and N₂ selectivity. An appropriate level of acidity also promoted the activity at 190-250 °C over ceria-based catalysts, and with further increase in the acidity, the SCR activity decreased slightly. Weak redox capability lowered the low-temperature catalytic activity. Excellent SCR activity requires a balance of acidity and redox capability on the catalysts.

Investigation of the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 over the WO3/Ce0.68Zr0.32O2 catalyst: the role of H2O in SO2 inhibition

The effect of H₂O and SO₂ on the selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by NH₃ (NH₃-SCR) over WO₃/Ce_0.68Zr_0.32O₂ at 250 °C was systematically investigated using various characterization techniques.

Suppression of N2O formation by H2O and SO2 in the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 over a Mn/Ti–Si catalyst

Proposed mechanism of NO reduction and N₂O formation as well as H₂O/SO₂ suppression effects with participation of (a) Lewis acid sites and (b) Brønsted acid sites over a Mn/Ti–Si catalyst.