Boosting SO2-Resistant NOx Reduction by Modulating Electronic Interaction of Short-Range Fe-O Coordination over Fe2O3/TiO2 Catalysts

SO2-resistant selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx remains a grand challenge for eliminating NOx generated from stationary combustion processes. Herein, SO2-resistant NOx reduction has been boosted by modulating electronic interaction of short-range Fe-O coordination over Fe2O3/TiO2 catalysts. We report a remarkable SO2-tolerant Fe2O3/TiO2 catalyst using sulfur-doped TiO2 as the support. Via an array of spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations and DFT theoretical calculations, the active form of the dopant is demonstrated as SO42- residing at subsurface TiO6 locations. Sulfur doping exerts strong electronic perturbation to TiO2, causing a net charge transfer from Fe2O3 to TiO2 via increased short-range Fe-O coordination. This electronic effect simultaneously weakens charge transfer from Fe2O3 to SO2 and enhances that from NO/NH3 to Fe2O3, resulting in a remarkable killing two birds with one stone scenario, that is, improving NO/NH3 adsorption that benefits SCR reaction and inhibiting SO2 poisoning that benefits catalyst long-term stability.

Automated summary

SO2-resistant NOx reduction has been enhanced by modulating electronic interaction of short-range Fe-O coordination over Fe2O3/TiO2 catalysts. Sulfur doping exerts strong electronic perturbation to TiO2, causing a net charge transfer from Fe2O3 to TiO2 via increased short-range Fe-O coordination. This electronic effect simultaneously weakens charge transfer from Fe2O3 to SO2 and enhances that from NO/NH3 to Fe2O3.