Hydrothermal activation of silver supported alumina catalysts prepared by sol–gel method: Application to the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by n-decane

2 wt% Ag– and 2 wt% Ag–1.5 wt% Nb mesoporous alumina catalysts were prepared by non-hydrolytic sol–gel process. Silver accessibility is enhanced by calcination at high temperature. By performing calcination in presence of water vapour, silver particles are well dispersed and interact more strongly with the alumina surface and activity in n-decane-SCR of NOx is greatly improved. Moreover, the addition of niobium in the starting material leads to more efficient catalysts and enhances mainly the low temperature activity.

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► The preparation of mesoporous silver alumina catalysts by sol–gel process is reported.
► Most active catalysts were achieved after hydrothermal treatment at high temperature.
► Water vapour is a redispersing agent of silver particles at high temperature.
► The addition of niobium increases the density of acid sites.
► A low temperature active catalyst has been designed for the HC-SCR.