Design of Cobalt-Amine Complex as an Efficient Structure-Directing Agent for One-Pot Synthesis of Co-SSZ-13 Zeolite

The selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide with methane (CH4-SCR) has been considered as an alternative technology for the simultaneous removal of NOx and CH4, and one of the efficient catalysts for this reaction is Co-exchanged SSZ-13 (Co-SSZ-13) zeolite catalyst. However, the preparation of the Co-SSZ-13 zeolite catalyst is costly due to the use of an expensive organic template and Co exchange. We demonstrate here the design of a low-cost cobalt-amine complex (Co-DETA) as a novel structure-directing agent (SDA) for the one-pot synthesis of Co-SSZ-13 zeolite with the assistance of theoretical calculations. Physicochemical characterizations including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N-2 sorption, and magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance show that the Co-SSZ-13 zeolite has good crystallinity, a cubic morphology, a high surface area, and four-coordinated aluminum species. Furthermore, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy confirm that the Co-DETA complex acts as a SDA for the synthesis of Co-SSZ-13 zeolite. More importantly, the Co-SSZ-13 zeolite exhibits good catalytic performance in the CH4-SCR reaction with 10% H2O in the feed gas stream. The efficient and facile synthesis of Co-SSZ-13 zeolite plus its good catalytic performance might offer a good opportunity for its industrial applications in the future.

Automated summary

A low-cost cobalt-amine complex (Co-DETA) was designed as a novel structure-directing agent for the one-pot synthesis of Co-SSZ-13 zeolite, demonstrating good catalytic performance in the CH4-SCR reaction with 10% H2O. The Co-SSZ-13 zeolite exhibited good crystallinity, cubic morphology, high surface area, and four-coordinated aluminum species, making it a promising candidate for industrial applications in the future.