Evaluation of Cu/SAPO-34 Catalysts Prepared by Solid-State and Liquid Ion-Exchange Methods for NOx Removal by NH3-SCR

Abstract

Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts are prepared using solid-state ion exchange (SSIE) and liquid ion exchange (LIE). SSIE is conducted by calcining a physical mixture of H-SAPO-34 zeolite and CuO nanoparticles at elevated temperatures (500-800 degrees C). The conventional LIE method is conducted by exchanging Na-SAPO-34 with Cu(COOCH3)(2) aqueous solution with a final calcination step at 500 degrees C. Catalysts were fully characterized, focusing on Cu species identification. The NH3-SCR activity is evaluated for NOx removal. Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts synthesized by SSIE at 700 degrees C achieved an optimal reaction rate, which was correlated with a higher proportion of Cu2+ ions. The activation energies of Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts prepared by SSIE and LIE with varying copper loadings are 32-38 and 42-47 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The SSIE catalysts achieve higher turnover frequency than LIE catalysts for a similar copper content, which decreases on increasing the copper loading. These results provide evidence that Cu ions exchanged into the Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts synthesized by SSIE present higher activity than those prepared by LIE for NOx removal by NH3-SCR.