Insight into copper-mordenite–silica mixtures (CuMOR–SiO2)

A series of ternary CuMOR–SiO2 mixed materials were prepared by two synthesis approaches (CuMOR1–y–SiO2 and CuMOR2–y–SiO2). Extensive characterization was done for both series and some selected materials were tested in CO catalytic oxidation and NO reduction. The presence of CuMOR and SiO2 segregated phases was observed in both series by XRD, suggesting that silica formation was not inhibited by the mordenite (MOR) presence. UV–Vis results exhibited that Cu ion exchange was successfully done for CuMOR1–y–SiO2 series. In the CuMOR2–y–SiO2 series, the amount of copper was below the sensitivity limit of EDS analysis. CuMOR1–50%–SiO2 catalyst resulted with higher specific surface area and catalytic activity. A possible relation between reduction temperature, the increase in Cu plasmon excitation, and catalytic activity was observed.