Ion exchange of one-pot synthesized Cu-SAPO-44 with NH4NO3 to promote Cu dispersion and activity for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

Abstract

Cu-containing CHA type (Cu-CHA) zeolites have been widely investigated owing to their excellent low-temperature activity and high hydrothermal stability in selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR). Herein, a series of Cu-SAPO-44 zeolites were prepared by one-pot method with dual-amine templates and the subsequent ion exchange (IE) with NH4NO3. The effect of NH4NO3 treatment on Cu species was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, inductively coupled plasma (ICP); field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and H2-temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The results indicated that—besides the main SAPO-44 structure—the CuO phase was detected by XRD in original samples. After IE with NH4NO3, the Cu contents decreased greatly from ICP analysis. The removal of CuO agglomerations and the presence of highly dispersed CuO nanoparticles (~2.36 nm) were confirmed by SEM, TEM and H2-TPR. Furthermore, a significant increase in the proportion of isolated Cu2+ was derived from XAFS. As a result, the activity at higher temperature (≥350°C) was improved a lot.