Mechanism of reduction of nitrogen oxides with propene in excess oxygen catalyzed by bifunctional catalysts

HC-SCR (selective reduction of nitrogen oxide by hydrocarbon) and our view on its reaction mechanism are briefly described, and then our attempts in the last few years to design catalysts based on the concept of bifunctional catalysis for HC-SCR are reviewed. The example chosen is the NO-C₃H₆-O₂-H₂O reaction catalyzed by mechanical mixtures of transition metal oxides (e.g., Mn₂O₃) and metal-loaded ZSM-5 zeolites. The synergistic effect of two components was explained based on a reaction mechanism comprising NO oxidation, oxidative decomposition of the products of NO₂-C₃H₆ reactions and polymerization of (or carbon deposition from) C₃H₆.