In situ FT-IR studies on the mechanism of selective catalytic reduction of NOx by propene over SnO2/Al2O3 catalyst

The mechanism of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by propene over SnO2/Al2O3 catalyst in the presence of oxygen has been investigated using in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. In situ IR measurements indicate that acetate and formate, which are the derivatives of the partial oxidation of propene, play a crucial role in the formation of NCO by reacting with the reactive monodentate nitrate species. The resulting NCO species subsequently reacts with NOx to form N2. The presence of oxygen substantially contributes to the partial oxidation of propene and thus shows a promoting effect for the NOx reduction.