Design of Ca-type todorokite catalysts with highly active for the selective reduction of NOx by NH3 at low temperatures

Abstract

Ca-type todorokite catalysts were designed and prepared by a simple redox method and applied to the selective reduction of NOx by NH3 (NH3-SCR) for the first time. Compared with the Na-type manjiroite prepared by the same method, the todorokite catalysts with different Mn/Ca ratios showed greatly improved catalytic activity for NOx reduction. Among them, Mn8Ca4 catalyst exhibited the best NH3-SCR performance, achieving 90% NOx conversion within temperature range of 70–275°C and having a high sulphur resistance. Compared to the Na-type manjiroite sample, Ca-type todorokite catalysts possessed an increased size of tunnel, resulting in a larger specific surface area. As increased the amounts of Ca doping, the Na content in Ca-type todorokite catalysts significantly decreased, providing larger amounts of Brønsted acid sites for NH3 adsorption to produce NH4+. The NH4+ species were highly active for reaction with NO + O2, playing a determining role in NH3-SCR process at low temperatures. Meanwhile, larger amounts of surface adsorbed oxygen contained over the Ca-doping samples than that over Na-type manjiroite, promoting the oxidation of NO and fast SCR processes. Over the Ca-type todorokite catalysts, furthermore, nitrates produced during the flow of NO + O2, were more active for reaction with NH3 than that over Na-type manjiroite, benefiting the occurrence of NH3-SCR process. This study provides novel insights into the design of NH3-SCR catalysts with high performance.