Iron oxide supported sulfated TiO2 nanotube catalysts for NO reduction with propane

Sulfated TiO2 nanotubes and a series of iron oxide loaded sulfated TiO2 nanotubes catalysts with different iron oxide loadings (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt%) were prepared and calcined at 400 °C. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were studied by using XRD, N2-physisorption, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, TEM, XPS, and pyridine adsorption using FTIR and H2-TPR techniques. It was observed that iron oxide was highly dispersed on the sulfated TiO2 nanotube support due to its strong interaction. The activity of these catalysts in the catalytic removal of NO with propane was also studied in the temperature range of 300–500 °C. Highest activity (90% NO conversion) was observed with 5 wt% iron oxide supported on sulfated TiO2 catalyst at 450 °C. Selective catalytic reduction of NO activity of the catalysts was correlated with iron oxide loading, reducibility, and the Brönsted and Lewis acid sites of the catalysts. The catalyst also showed good stability under studied reaction conditions that no deactivation was observed during the 50 h of reaction.