The effect of support and Cu precursor on the activity of supported CuO catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx

A series of Cu catalysts were studied as a function of support (Al2O3, TiO2 and SiO2) and Cu precursor (ex-SO4 and ex-NO3) for activity in the SCR-NH3 reaction. The catalysts were characterized using NOx TPD and SEM/EDAX analysis and the effects of residual sulphur interpreted in terms of site-blocking and NH3 activation mechanisms.