Advances and perspectives from a decade of collaborative efforts on zeolites for selective catalytic reduction of NOx

Abstract

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) is a major air pollutant and its release is regulated by increasingly stringent legislation. Selective catalytic reduction using ammonia as a reductant (NH3-SCR) is the most widely applied method to reduce NOx from diesel vehicle exhaust. Significant technological achievements have been developed in the last 10–15 years to minimize NOx by NH3-SCR, particularly using Cu-containing small-pore zeolites as active and stable catalysts. In the present perspective, we highlight some of the most noteworthy advances achieved by industry and academia on the understanding of the unique reaction mechanism of NH3-SCR over Cu-zeolites. With the increased understanding, researchers have been able to rationalize the design and realization of new Cu-zeolite catalysts. Although light-duty diesel vehicles will be electrified in the near future, heavy-duty diesel vehicles will continue to play a large role in future powertrain solutions even beyond 2030. Hence, we highlight some of the challenges and perspectives moving forward.