Ceria supported on sulfated zirconia as a superacid catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

► A novel superacid catalyst CeO2/SO42--ZrO2 was used for the first time in SCR of NO. ► The catalytic performance was great enhanced after the surface sulfation. ► The sulfation influenced the crystal phase of ZrO2 and the state of cerium oxides. ► The formation of stable superacid sites was beneficial to the SCR activity.