Low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3: Exploring the mechanism of enhancing H2O tolerance through methylation functionalization and structural regulation in IPAx-Mn-BTC

In the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3, it is crucial to design low-temperature de-nitrification (de-NOx) catalysts with high H2O tolerance. Here, we developed a type of low-temperature de-NOx catalyst (IPAx-Mn-BTC) with strong H2O tolerance through methyl functionalization. In the presence of the optimal catalyst (IPA50-Mn-BTC), the NOx conversion only decreased from 97% to 90% after introducing 6% H2O for 6 h at low temperature of 150 degrees C. The results of in-situ DRIFTS and density functional theory calculations confirm that the de-NOx reaction process and the generation of intermediate states that occur on the surface of the IPA50-Mn-BTC are not affected by H2O. The elimination of the small pore size (< 4.3 nm) and the diminished H2O adsorption energy resulted from methyl functionalization are the key factors behind the improved H2O tolerance. This work provides a new approach for designing low-temperature de-NOx catalysts with high H2O tolerance.

Automated summary

In this study, a low-temperature de-NOx catalyst with strong H2O tolerance was developed through methyl functionalization. The catalyst showed only a slight decrease in NOx conversion when 6% H2O was introduced at low temperature. The elimination of small pore size and diminished H2O adsorption energy due to methyl functionalization were found to be the key factors behind the improved H2O tolerance.