Improvement of catalytic activity and sulfur-resistance of Ag/TiO2–Al2O3 for NO reduction with propene under lean burn conditions

Ag-based catalysts supported on various metal oxides, Al2O3, TiO2, and TiO2–Al2O3, were prepared by the sol–gel method. The effect of SO2 on catalytic activity was investigated for NO reduction with propene under lean burn condition. The results showed the catalytic activities were greatly enhanced on Ag/TiO2–Al2O3 in comparison to Ag/Al2O3 and Ag/TiO2, especially in the low temperature region. Application of different characterization techniques revealed that the activity enhancement was correlated with the properties of the support material. Silver was highly dispersed over the amorphous system of TiO2–Al2O3. NO3− rather than NO2− or NOx reacted with the carboxylate species to form CN or NCO. NO2 was the predominant desorption species in the temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of NO on Ag/TiO2–Al2O3. More amount of formate (HCOO−) and CN were generated on the Ag/TiO2–Al2O3 catalyst than the Ag/Al2O3 catalyst, due to an increased number of Lewis acid sites. Sulfate species, resulted from SO2 oxidation, played dual roles on catalytic activity. On aged samples, the slow decomposition of accumulated sulfate species on catalyst surface led to poor NO conversion due to the blockage of these species on active sites. On the other hand, catalytic activity was greatly enhanced in the low temperature region because of the enhanced intensity of Lewis acid site caused by the adsorbed sulfate species. The rate of sulfate accumulation on the Ag/TiO2–Al2O3 system was relatively slow. As a consequence, the system showed superior capability for selective adsorption of NO and SO2 toleration to the Ag/Al2O3 catalyst.