The selective catalytic reduction activity of Cu/MCM-41 catalysts prepared by using the Cu2+–MCM-41 mesoporous materials with copper ions in the framework as precursors

The Cu2+–MCM-41 mesoporous materials with different loadings of copper species in the framework have been prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by using various physico-chemical methods combined with the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3. It has been shown that the particle size of metallic copper formed after hydrogen reduction is much smaller than that in the supported catalysts prepared by impregnation method, and that the SCR activity of catalyst increases obviously with the increase of Cu content to 10 wt.% because of its higher dispersion of copper metal in the mesoporous catalyst even at higher Cu loading.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The Cu/MCM-41 (ht) are more active than Cu/MCM-41 (im) for SCR reaction. ► The SCR activity of Cu/MCM-41 (ht) increases obviously with increase of Cu loading. ► The Cu/MCM-41 (ht) exhibit the higher Cu dispersion and thus higher SCR activity.