Improved high temperature stability of NH3-SCR catalysts based on rare earth vanadates supported on TiO2WO3SiO2

The ammonia SCR activity of a series of rare earth vanadates supported over TiO2WO3SiO2 was investigated after thermal treatment in the temperature range 700–750 °C and their properties studied by XRD, TPR, BET and HRTEM analysis. It was found that the thermal stability of the catalyst is remarkably higher than that observed in traditional vanadia-based materials, with the rare earth vanadate being able to suppress the unfavorable transformation of anatase to rutile and the consequent surface area drop. The deNOx activity after aging was higher than that observed over V2O5/TiO2WO3SiO2 and dependent on the nature of the rare earth element. A group of elements comprising Tb, Er, Dy, Sm and Gd showed excellent resistance to deactivation and high activity after aging while a second group with Ce, La, Nd and Pr was more sensitive to thermal treatment and less active. This was correlated to their position in the periodic table and to their ability to alter the characteristics of the VO bond and the acid/base surface properties.

The absence of any free V2O5 in rare earth vanadate-based SCR catalysts on TiO2WO3SiO2 support allows for thermal stabilization up to 750 °C with superior deNOx activity after aging.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (432 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Rare earth vanadates over TiO2WO3SiO2 support are active SCR catalysts.
► Rare earth vanadates of Tb, Er, Dy, Sm, and Gd prevent rutilization of TiO2 up to 750 °C.
► Rare earth elements act on the redox and acid/base functions of the catalyst to affect its activity.
► The nature of the rare earth element and its ionic radius play a role in the final properties of the catalysts.