Bimetallic catalysts for the simultaneous removal of NOx and soot from diesel engine exhaust: A preliminary study using intrinsic catalysts

The activity of two bimetallic catalysts (KCu and KCo) for the simultaneous removal of NOx and soot, pollutants in diesel engine exhaust, has been studied. The metals used as catalysts have been directly incorporated to a model soot, simulating the presence of metals, coming from the diesel fuel additives in the soot. Using 600 ppm NO, 5% O2 in He, Temperature Programmed Reaction (TPR) and isothermal reaction have been carried out. At temperatures higher than 250 °C, the use of bimetallic catalysts notably increase the rate of NOx reduction with soot with 100% selectivity to N2 and CO2. Among the two bimetallic catalysts tested, KCo is the most active, achieving the total NOx reduction, to N2, at 350 °C with the highest soot consumption rate.