Investigation of the promotion effect of Mo doped CuO catalysts for the low-temperature performance of NH3-SCR reaction

A novel Mo-doped CuO catalyst is developed and used for low-temperature NH₃-SCR reaction. Compared with the undoped CuO sample, the Mo doped CuO catalyst shows an increased SCR performance with above 80% NO_x conversion at 175 °C. The XRD and Raman results have confirmed the incorporation of Mo metal ions into CuO lattice to form Mo-O-Cu species which may be related to the enhanced SCR activity. The XPS and UV–vis results reveal the creation of electron interaction between Cu and Mo in this Mo-O-Cu system which provides an increased amount of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, thereby promoting the adsorption capacity of NH₃ and NO_x as verified by NH₃-TPD and NO_x-TPD characterization. Besides, it also promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, leading to the increasing of chemisorbed oxygen species, which improves the NO oxidation to NO₂ activity. Furthermore, in situ DRIFTS technology was also used to study the reaction mechanism of this Mo doped CuO catalyst. The formed NO₂ could react with NH_x (x = 3, 2) species to enhance the low-temperature NH₃-SCR activity via the “fast-SCR” reaction pathway. The nitrate and nitrite ad-species may react with NH₃ and NH₄⁺ ad-species through the L-H pathway.     

Nitrosonium nitrite isomer of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Quantum-chemical data

The geometrical, electronic, and thermodynamic parameters of three known isomers of dinitrogen trioxide N₂O₃ were calculated by the density functional theory DFT/B3LYP method using the 6-311++G(3df) basis. The structure of the new isomer, NONO₂, was calculated. From the calculation of vibrational frequencies it follows that the structure of NONO₂ has a local potential energy minimum and corresponds to the stationary state of the N₂O₃ isomer. The molecular structure of NONO₂ is characterized by a substantial negative charge on the NO₂ fragment and positive charge on the NO fragment. The electronic structure of the NO⁺NO ₂ ^? isomer can be characterized as nitrosonium nitrite, which can be oxidized to nitrite and participate in nitrosylation in accordance with the biogenic characteristics of the NO _x intermediate, assumed to be formed in biological systems during the oxidation of NO.     

A mechanism for the photochemical transformation of nitrate in snow

Photochemical reactions of trace compounds in snow have important implications for the composition of the atmospheric boundary layer in snow-covered regions and for the interpretation of concentration profiles in snow and ice regarding the composition of the past atmosphere. One of the prominent reactions is the photolysis of nitrate, which leads to the formation of OH radicals in the snow and to the release of reactive nitrogen compounds, like nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂) and nitrous acid (HONO) to the atmosphere. We performed photolysis experiments using artificial snow, containing variable initial concentrations of nitrate and nitrite, to investigate the reaction mechanism responsible for the formation of the reactive nitrogen compounds. Increasing the initial nitrite concentrations resulted in the formation of significant amounts of nitrate in the snow. A possible precursor of nitrate is NO₂, which can be transformed into nitrate either by the attack of a hydroxy radical or the hydrolysis of the dimer (N₂O₄). A mechanism for the transformation of the nitrogen-containing compounds in snow was developed, assuming that all reactions took place in a quasi-liquid layer (QLL) at the surface of the ice crystals. The unknown photolysis rates of nitrate and nitrite and the rates of NO and NO₂ transfer from the snow to the gas phase, respectively, were adjusted to give an optimum fit of the calculated time series of nitrate, nitrite, and gas phase NO_x with respect to the experimental data. Best agreement was obtained with a ∼25 times faster photolysis rate of nitrite compared to nitrate. The formation of NO₂ is probably the dominant channel for the nitrate photolysis. We used the reaction mechanism further to investigate the release of NO_x and HONO under natural conditions. We found that NO_x emissions are by far dominated by the release of NO₂. The release of HONO to the gas phase depends on the pH of the snow and the HONO transfer rate to the gas phase. However, due to the small amounts of nitrite produced under natural conditions, the formation of HONO in the QLL is probably negligible. We suggest that observed emissions of HONO from the surface snow are dominated by the heterogeneous formation of HONO in the firn air. The reaction of NO₂ on the surfaces of the ice crystals is the most likely HONO source to the gas phase.     

The mechanism of selective NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> reduction by hydrocarbons in excess oxygen on oxide catalysts: VII. The nature of synergism on a mechanical mixture of catalysts

Based on a mechanistic study of the selective reduction of NO _x by propane on NTK-10-1 and Ni-Cr oxide (NCO) catalysts, the reason for synergism in this process on a mechanical mixture of the catalysts was determined. On the NCO catalyst at temperatures higher than 250°C without NO _x activation, C₃H₈ was oxidized with the formation of a considerable amount of hydrogen. This hydrogen migrated to the surface of NTK-10-1 through a gas phase and reduced this surface. On the reduced surface, H₂ reacted with NO _x by a mechanism characteristic of supported platinum group metals. In accordance with this mechanism, nitrogen atoms, which were formed by the dissociation of NO on metal atoms reduced by hydrogen, recombined to form nitrogen molecules in a gas phase, whereas oxygen atoms reacted with the hydrocarbon to form CO₂ and H₂O molecules in a gas phase. The positive effect of H₂, which was formed on the NCO surface, on the reduction of NO _x on NTK-10-1 is the main reason for synergism. An analysis of the experimental data demonstrated that an effectively working mechanical mixture of catalysts can be obtained if one of the mixture components is responsible for the effective activation of nitrogen oxides and the other is responsible for the activation of hydrocarbons.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the interaction of supported metal catalysts with NO<Subscript>x</Subscript>

The reactions of the platinum and rhodium model catalysts applied to aluminum oxide with NO_x (10 Torr NO + 10 Torr O₂) were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reaction conducted at room temperature formed on the surface of the oxide support the NO _3,s ^? nitrate ions characterized by the N1s line at 407.4 eV and O1s line at 533.1 eV and the NO _2,s ^? nitrite ions characterized by the N1s line with a binding energy of 404.7 eV. At the same time, the Pt4f and Rh3d lines of the supported platinum particles are shifted toward higher binding energies by 0.5–1.0 eV and 0.7–1.2 eV, respectively. It is assumed that the binding energies increase due to changes in the chemical state of the platinum metal in which oxygen is dissolved. The reaction of NO_x with Pt/Al₂O₃ at 200°C forms platinum oxide defined by the Pt4f _7/2 line with a binding energy of 72.3 eV.     

Interaction of NO2 with Model NSR Catalysts: Metal–Oxide Interaction Controls Initial NOx Storage Mechanism

Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), molecular‐beam (MB) methods and time‐resolved infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (TR‐IRAS), we investigate the mechanism of initial NO_x uptake on a model nitrogen storage and reduction (NSR) catalyst. The model system is prepared by co‐deposition of Pd metal particles and Ba‐containing oxide particles onto an ordered alumina film on NiAl(110). We show that the metal–oxide interaction between the active noble metal particles and the NO_x storage compound in NSR model catalysts plays an important role in the reaction mechanism. We suggest that strong interaction facilitates reverse spillover of activated oxygen species from the NO_x storage compound to the metal. This process leads to partial oxidation of the metal nanoparticles and simultaneous stabilization of the surface nitrite intermediate.     

NOx-Sorbing Metal Oxides, MnOx–CeO2. Oxidative NO Adsorption and NOx–H2 Reaction

(n)MnO_x–(1?n)CeO₂ binary oxides have been studied for the sorptive NO removal and subsequent reduction of NO_x sorbed to N₂ at low temperatures (≤150 °C). The solid solution with a fluorite-type structure was found to be effective for oxidative NO adsorption, which yielded nitrate (NO^? ₃) and/or nitrite (NO^? ₂) species on the surface depending on temperature, O₂ concentration in the gas feed, and composition of the binary oxide (n). A surface reaction model was derived on the basis of XPS, TPD, and DRIFTS analyses. Redox of Mn accompanied by simultaneous oxygen equilibration between the surface and the gas phase promoted the oxidative NO adsorption. The reactivity of the adsorbed NO_x toward H₂ was examined for MnO_x–CeO₂ impregnated with Pd, which is known as a nonselective catalyst toward NO–H₂ reaction in the presence of excess oxygen. The Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ catalyst after saturated by the NO uptake could be regenerated by micropulse injections of H₂ at 150 °C. Evidence was presented to show that the role of Pd is to generate reactive hydrogen atoms, which spillover onto the MnO_x–CeO₂ surface and reduce nitrite/nitrate adsorbing thereon. Because of the lower reducibility of nitrate and the competitive H₂–O₂ combustion, H₂–NO reaction was suppressed to a certain extent in the presence of O₂. Nevertheless, Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ attained 65% NO-conversion in a steady stream of 0.08% NO, 2% H₂, and 6% O₂ in He at as low as 150 °C, compared to ca. 30% conversion for Pd/γ–Al₂O₃ at the same temperature. The combination of NO_x-sorbing materials and H₂-activation catalysts is expected to pave the way to development of novel NO_x-sorbing catalysts for selective deNO_x at very low temperatures.     

Catalytically Promoted NO x Sorption by ZrO2-Based Oxides

Metal promoted zirconia-based oxide sorbents, such as Pt–ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ for NO _x have been investigated. To clarify the role of the catalyst component, sorption of NO and NO₂ was compared using the samples with and without Pt. The catalytic oxidation of NO to NO₂ and successively to nitrate ions is an important role for the Pt catalyst. The experimental results indicate that a high-temperature calcination is essential to remove residual Cl from Pt–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ prepared from H₂PtCl₆ in order to provide more active NO _x sorption sites. Of M–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ samples investigated, ruthenium as well as Pt demonstrated relatively good performance as a catalyst component in the sorbent. The FT-IR spectra after sorption of NO and NO₂ demonstrated a strong band attributed to stored nitrate ions. The Pt catalyst was more resistant to sulfur poisoning than a base metal catalyst. However, the NO _x sorptive capacities of the Pt–ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ sorbents were expected to be deteriorated in dilute SO₂ as far as observed from FT-IR spectra.     

Impedance-based total-NOx sensor using stabilized zirconia and ZnCr2O4 sensing electrode operating at high temperature

We report here a new-type zirconia-based sensor that can detect total NO_x content at high temperatures such as 700 °C. A closed-one-end yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) tube was used as a base sensor material. An oxide sensing electrode (SE) and a Pt counter electrode (CE) were formed on the outer and inner surfaces of the YSZ tube, respectively. The complex impedance of the device using a ZnCr₂O₄-sensing electrode was measured with an impedance analyzer in the frequency and the temperature ranges 0.1 Hz–100 kHz and 600–700 °C, respectively. A large semicircular arc was observed in complex impedance plots (Cole–Cole plots) in the lower frequency range examined and it seemed to correspond to the electrolyte/electrode interface. The impedance value at 1 Hz of the present device was found to vary almost linearly with the concentration of NO (or NO₂) from 50 to 400 ppm in the sample gas at 600–700 °C. Furthermore, it is noted that the sensitivity of NO is almost equal to that of NO₂. This means that the present device can detect the total NO_x at higher temperatures.     

Catalytic activity of layered aluminosilicates for VOC oxidation in the presence of NOx

Raw and variously modified layered aluminosilicates have been used as catalysts in the reaction of ethanol oxidation both in the presence and absence of NO_x. In this study, we clearly showed that the conversion of VOC on the modified layered aluminosilicates decreases slightly in the presence of NO_x. However, the presence of NO_x in the reaction mixture did not affect the stability of the used catalysts. Only a small change of selectivity depending on the carrier type as well as on the way of modification was found.     

Removal of NOx by photocatalytic processes

The photocatalytic methods for nitrogen oxides removal were recently very intense areas of scientific research. Photo-deNO_x processes offer interesting ways for abatement of these harmful gases. This review describes several methods for removing NO by photocatalytic reactions. These methods can be classified into three major groups: photo selective catalytic reduction (photo-SCR), photo-oxidation and photo-decomposition. The application of photocatalysts and photo-processes for NO_x abatement in real-scale cases are presented. The fast-growing development of these methods is revealed by the large number of issued patents in photo-deNO_x applications. The mechanism of NO creation and the traditional methods (primary and secondary) of NO_x removal are summarized and discussed. A cooperative system that combines the traditional (thermal) process and a photo-process is then proposed for improving NO_x removal efficiency.     

Thermal behaviour and spectroscopic investigation of some methyl 2-pyridyl ketone complexes

Pyridine derivative complexes are widely employed as biological active materials especially as antibacterial agents. Five transition metal(II) mpk complexes (mpk = methyl 2-pyridyl ketone) were synthesized and investigated using elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (IR and UV–Vis–NIR) and conductometric measurements. The general formulae established from experimental data were found to be [M(mpk)₂(NO₃)₂]·xH₂O (x = 0 for M = Cd(II), Zn(II), x = 2 for M = Cu(II)) and [M(mpk)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (M = Co(II), Ni(II)). These compositions were further confirmed by thermal analysis and their thermal stability in dynamic air atmosphere investigated.     

NOx的催化分解研究

氮氧化物(NO_x)的直接催化分解是公认的消除NO_x污染最有吸引力的方法。本文综述了NO_x催化分解研究领域深受关注的几类催化剂,包括贵金属、金属氧化物、钙钛矿及类钙钛矿型复合氧化物、离子交换的ZSM-5型分子筛、杂多化合物和水滑石类材料等六大类催化剂。介绍了相关的反应机理、反应动力学和催化性能等问题的国内外研究进展,概括了上述催化剂的优缺点,提出了未来的发展方向。     

A Redox-Active Tetrazine-Based Pincer Ligand for the Reduction of N-Oxyanions Using a Redox-Inert Metal

The reaction chemistry of the bis-tetrazinyl pyridine ligand (btzp) towards nitrogen oxyanions coordinated to zinc is studied in order to explore the reduction of the NO_x⁻ substrates with a redox-active ligand in the absence of redox activity at the metal. Following syntheses and characterization of (btzp)ZnX₂ for X=Cl, NO₃ and NO₂, featuring O−Zn linkage of both nitrogen oxyanions, it is shown that a silylating agent selectively delivers silyl substituents to tetrazine nitrogens, without reductive deoxygenation of NO_x⁻¹. A new synthesis of the highly hydrogenated H₄btzp, containing two dihydrotetrazine reductants is described as is the synthesis and characterization of (H₄btzp)ZnX₂ for X=Cl and NO₃, both of which show considerable hydrogen bonding potential of the dihydrotetrazine ring NH groups. The (H₄btzp)ZnCl₂ complex does not bind zinc in the pincer pocket, but instead H₄btzp becomes a bridge between neighboring atoms through tetrazine nitrogen atoms, forming a polymeric chain. The reaction of AgNO₂ with (H₄btzp)ZnCl₂ is shown to proceed with fast nitrite deoxygenation, yielding water and free NO. Half of the H₄btzp reducing equivalents form Ag⁰ and thus the chloride ligand remains coordinated to the zinc metal center to yield (btzp)ZnCl₂. To compare with AgNO₂, experiments of (H₄btzp)ZnCl₂ with NaNO₂ result in salt metathesis between chloride and nitrite, highlighting the importance of a redox-active cation in the reduction of nitrite to NO.     

NH3-SCR脱硝催化剂抗硫性能的研究进展

氮氧化物(NO_x)是一种重要的大气污染物, 它造成严重的环境问题, 同时威胁人类健康. 以钢铁烧结烟气为代表的固定源和以柴油机尾气为代表的移动源是氮氧化物的主要来源. 氨气选择性催化还原法(NH₃-SCR)是目前最有效且应用最广泛的NO_x脱除技术. 然而, 无论是固定源还是移动源上NH₃-SCR催化剂, 都不可避免地会被SO₂毒化, 造成催化剂失活, 限制了NH₃-SCR技术的进一步应用. 因此, 研究NH₃-SCR催化剂的SO₂中毒机制以及提高催化剂的抗硫性能至关重要. 我们对固定源脱硝的金属氧化物和移动源上脱硝的Cu基分子筛这两类不同催化剂体系的SO₂中毒机制的研究进展进行了介绍, 并对这两种催化剂上提高抗硫性能改性方法的研究进展进行了评述, 为未来的研究提供了参考.     

An XPS study of the oxidation of noble metal particles evaporated onto the surface of an oxide support in their reaction with NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

The interaction of the model catalysts Rh/Al₂O₃, Pd/Al₂O₃, Pt/Al₂O₃, and Pt/SiO₂ with NO _x (mixture of 10 Torr of NO and 10 Torr of O₂) was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Samples of the model catalysts were prepared under vacuum conditions as oxide films ≥100 Å in thickness on tantalum foil with evaporated platinum-group metal particles. According to transmission electron microscopic data, the platinum-group metal particle size was several nanometers. It was found by XPS that the oxidation of Rh and Pd nanoparticles in their interaction with NO _x occurs already at room temperature. The particles of platinum were more stable: their oxidation under the action of NO _x was observed at elevated temperatures of ～300°C. At room temperature, the interaction of platinum nanoparticles with NO _x hypothetically leads to the dissolution (insertion) of oxygen atoms in the bulk of the particles with the retention of their metallic nature. It was found that dissolved oxygen is much more readily reducible by hydrogen than the lattice oxygen of the platinum oxide particles.     

Visible-light-induced oxidative removal of nitrogen oxides in air by metal chloride-modified titanium (IV) oxide nanoparticles

Various metal chloride-modified titanium(IV) oxide (TiO₂) (MCMT) samples were prepared by loading metal chloride on commercial TiO₂ nanoparticles (Ishihara ST-01) having a large specific surface area and used for photoinduced oxidative removal of nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) in air under irradiation of visible light and/or ultraviolet (UV) light. The NO _x removal activity of MCMT samples under photoirradiation from a blue fluorescent lamp (BFL) with a UV cut filter decreased in the following order: RhCl₃/ST-01>H₂PtCl₆/ST-01>RuCl₃/ST-01>ST-01>IrCl₄/ST-01>HAuCl₄/ST-01, indicating that RhCl₃. H₂PtCl₆ and RuCl₃ fixed on TiO₂ effectively worked as photosensitizers for NO _x removal. NO _x was almost quantitatively fixed as nitrate on RhCl₃/ST-01 photoirradiated with BFL or blue light-emitting diodes. Under irradiation of both visible light and UV light from a white fluorescent lamp, RhCl₃/ST-01 exhibited a higher level of removal of NO _x and a much lower level of release of nitrogen dioxide than did bare ST-01, indicating that RhCl₃/ST-01 effectively utilized both visible light and UV light and that two types of reaction (photosensitization by fixed RhCl₃ and photocatalysis by TiO₂) occurred over RhCl₃/ST-01.     

Dosierung kleiner Stickstoffdioxid-Mengen und Bestimmung des „Saltzman-Faktors“

A dynamic flow system is described by which N₂O₄ is diluted with air in 2 steps, to yield NO₂ concentrations in the partsper-million range. Part of the system is thermostatized. The final NO₂ concentration of the mixture can be calculated by taking into account the temperature and partial pressure dependent dissociation of N₂O₄. This system is used to test the Saltzman method, a photometric assay for the determination of NO₂, based on the formation of an intensely coloured azodye. The results obtained with gaseous NO₂ on one hand and with the equivalent amounts of aqueous nitrite solution on the other are compared. At a concentration of 1.5 μg NO₂ per 25 ml absorbing solution, the dye formation by 1 Mole of NO₂ equals that of 1 Mole of nitrite (“Saltzman-factor” 1.0). If the concentration is 10 μg/25 ml, the intensity of the colour effect due to 1 Mole of NO₂ equals 0.86 Moles of nitrite (“Saltzman-factor” 0.86). Only half the expected colour intensity was found when a NO₂-air-mixture was used that had been prepared by a dynamic two-step dilution and oxidation of NO (“Saltzman-factor” 0.5).     

Denitrification of simulated nitrate-rich wastewater using sulfamic acid and zinc scrap

An enhanced chemical denitrification process was studied as an alternative treatment of nitrate-rich wastewater which cannot be easily treated using conventional biological methods. To accelerate denitrification and to reduce the conversion to ammonia, nitrite reductants were added. In a batch test with the initial nitrate concentration of 500 mg NO ₃ ^? -N per L, sulfamic acid and zinc were found to be the best nitrite and metal reductants, respectively. In a column test with the initial nitrate concentration of 500 mg NO ₃ ^? -N per L, optimum results were experimentally obtained over a zinc scrap column with a 1.0 molar ratio of [NH₂SO₃H]/[NO ₃ ^? -N] and the recirculating flow rate of 6 L min^?1 at pH 2.5. Approximately 98.8 % of nitrate anions were removed, and the observed reaction rate constant (k) was 0.135 min^?1. Zinc consumption was reduced to 46.6 % compared to the procedure without sulfamic acid, and sulfamic acid consumption was reduced to 40 % compared to the results of our previous study. Based on these experimental results, it was concluded that chemical nitrate denitrification using sulfamic acid and zinc scrap is an effective alternative treatment protocol for nitrate-rich wastewater.     

Development of PGM-free catalysts for automotive applications

The activity of Ag-based catalysts in soot oxidation using NO₂ and oxygen as oxidants has been characterized in laboratory tests (TGA) and under real conditions on an engine dynamometer. Under low-temperature NO₂-assisted and high-temperature O₂-assisted soot oxidation conditions, the activity of Ag-based catalysts was found to be comparable or higher than that of commercial Pt-catalysts. In addition, Ag-based compositions also revealed noticeable NO _x storage, some passive NO _x reduction ability, and activity in NO oxidation. Ag-catalysts characterized in the present paper may be promising for the retrofit applications and high-temperature periodical regenerations with air for diesel passenger cars.