Conversion of NOx over Aluminosilicate Cu-CHA Zeolite Catalysts Synthesized Free of Organic Structure-Directing Agents

Abstract

Cu-CHA zeolites have proven to be effective for NOx reduction, but a drawback in using CHA zeolites is the cost associated with using expensive organic structure-directing agents. To overcome this drawback, we are reporting here the synthesis of Cu-CHA zeolite catalysts in both their NH4-form as well as K-form that do not require the use of organic structure-directing agents. After comprehensive characterization by XRF, XRD, 27Al NMR spectroscopy, FE-SEM, SEM/EDS, N2-adsorption/desorption, NH3-TPD, H2-TPR, and XPS, the zeolite catalysts were tested for NOx conversion by NH3-selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR). Cu-NH4-CHA zeolite catalysts exhibited remarkable activity and thermal stability over a wide temperature window, outperforming their counterpart K-forms. Among the NH4-forms of CHA zeolite catalysts, the 0.1 M Cu-NH4-CHA showed the best catalytic performance, achieving 50% NOx conversion at a temperature as low as 192 °C, and reaching full conversion of NOx at 261 °C. These Cu-based CHA zeolite catalysts are promising thanks to their environmentally friendly synthesis and offer the opportunity of maximizing DeNOx strategies in applications for NOx pollution abatement.