Enhanced catalytic performance of rare earth-doped Cu/H-Sep for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with C3H6

The undoped and rare earth oxide (REOx, RE = La, Ce, Pr, Sm)-doped acid-treated sepiolite (H-Sep)-supported copper oxide catalysts (Cu/H-Sep and RE-Cu/H-Sep; Cu and RE loading = 15 and 4 wt%, respectively) were prepared using the incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by means of the XRD, BET, XPS, H2-TPR and NH3-TPD techniques, and their catalytic activities were evaluated for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with propylene. It is shown that the doping of REOx led to an enhancement in catalytic performance of Cu/H-Sep in the SCR of NO with C3H6. Among the RE-Cu/H-Sep catalysts, Ce-Cu/H-Sep performed the best, with 62% NO conversion being achieved at 350 °C in the (NO + C3H6 + O2) reaction. We believe that the high catalytic performance of Ce-Cu/H-Sep for the SCR of NO with C3H6 was associated with the good low-temperature reducibility, high copper oxide dispersion, and strong metal–support interaction.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (243 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Cu/H-Sep and RE-Cu/H-Sep; (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Sm) are prepared by impregnation method.
► Doping REOx to Cu/H-Sep promotes the reducibility and copper oxide dispersion.
► REOx doping enhances the catalytic performance of Cu/H-Sep in the SCR of NO by C3H6.
► Ce-Cu/H-Sep performs the best, giving 62% NO conversion at 350 °C.
► Reducibility, CuO dispersion, and synergism determine the catalytic activity.