Influence of the state of iron on CO oxidation on FeSiBEA zeolite catalysts

The influence of the state of iron on the catalytic properties of FexSiBEA zeolite in the oxidation of CO was investigated. Various FexSiBEA zeolites (x = 0.6, 1.0, 4.0 and 10 wt%) were prepared by a two-step post synthesis method. The presence of Fe(III) in tetrahedral coordination for low Fe content and tetrahedral and octahedral coordination for high Fe content is evidenced by diffuse reflectance UV–Vis and TPR. FTIR investigations of pyridine adsorption show that Brønsted and Lewis acidic sites are formed upon incorporation of iron in SiBEA zeolite. The amount of both acidic sites increases with Fe content. The catalytic activity of FexSiBEA in the oxidation of CO strongly depends on the state of iron in BEA structure. Fe0.6SiBEA and Fe1.0SiBEA containing mainly framework tetrahedral Fe(III) ions are more active than Fe10SiBEA containing mainly extra-framework FeOx oligomers. The most active catalyst is Red-Fe1.0SiBEA obtained after reduction of Fe1.0SiBEA at 760 °C in flowing H2. It shows almost 100% CO conversion at room temperature.