On the promotional effect of Sn in Co-Sn/Al2O3 catalyst for NO selective reduction

Abstract

NO reduction with propylene over Co/Al2O3 and Co–Sn/Al2O3 catalysts has been investigated. For the Co/Al2O3 catalyst, a calcination temperature exceeding 800 °C led to a decrease of NO conversion. Calcination of the Co/Al2O3 catalyst at 1000 °C resulted in the formation of α-Al2O3 and Co3O4. The presence of 20% water vapor showed a significant shift for the maximum NO reduction temperature from 450 to 600 °C over Co/Al2O3. It has been found that modification of 6 wt% Co/Al2O3 with 2 wt% Sn significantly enhanced the catalyst thermal stability and improved the inhibitory effect of water on NO conversion and reaction temperature. The promotional effect of Sn on the catalyst thermal stability was attributed to the suppression of the phase transformation from highly dispersed Co2+ species on γ-Al2O3 to α-Al2O3 and Co3O4. The smaller influence of water vapor on NO reduction conversion and temperature over Co–Sn/Al2O3, compared to Co/Al2O3, was attributed to the dispersion effect of Sn species on Co2+ species as well as the involvement of Sn species in NO reduction at a relatively lower temperature. The synergetic effect between the octahedral Co2+ species and γ-alumina plays a significant role in the catalysis of NO selective reduction by C3H6.