Effect of water on the reduction of NOx with propane on Fe‐ZSM‐5. An FTIR mechanistic study

Abstract

Adsorption of NO on Fe‐ZSM‐5 leads to formation of Fen+–NO (n = 2 or 3) species (1880 cm-1), Fe2+(NO)2 complexes (1920 and 1835 cm-1) and NO+ (2133 cm-1). Water strongly suppresses the formation of NO+ and Fen+(NO)2 and more slightly the formation of Fen+ –NO. Introduction of oxygen to NO converts the nitrosyls into surface nitrates (1620 and 1575 cm-1) and this process is almost unaffected by water. The nitrates are thermally stable up to ca. 300°C, but readily interact with propane at 200°C, thus forming surface C–H–N–O deposit (bands in the 1700–1300 cm-1 region). Here again, water does not hinder the process. The C–H–N–O deposit is relatively inert (it does not interact with NO or NO + O2 at ambient temperature) but, at temperatures higher than 250 °C, it is decomposed to NCO- species (bands at 2215 (Fe–NCO) and 2256 cm-1 (Al–NCO)). In the presence of water, however, the Fe–NCO species only are formed. At ambient temperature the NCO- species are inert towards NO and O2, but easily react with a NO + O2 mixture. The mechanism of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides on Fe‐ZSM‐5 and the effect of water on the process are discussed.