Fe–Ti spinel for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3: Mechanism and structure–activity relationship

Abstract: A series of non-stoichiometric Fe–Ti spinel (Fe3−x Ti x )1−δ O4 were synthesized using a co-precipitation method and then developed as environmental-friendly and low cost catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3. As Ti was incorporated into γ-Fe2O3, the SCR reaction over (Fe3−x Ti x )1−δ O4 through the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism was restrained. Therefore, the SCR activity of (Fe3−x Ti x )1−δ O4 (x ≠0) was less than that of γ-Fe2O3 at 150–250°C. However, the SCR reaction over (Fe3−x Ti x )1−δ O4 through the Eley–Rideal mechanism was promoted due to the incorporation of Ti. The SCR activity of (Fe3−x Ti x )1−δ O4 (x ≠0) was mainly related to the oxidative ability of Fe3+ cation on the surface, the concentration of NH3 adsorbed on the surface and the concentration of reducible Fe3+ cation on the surface. Although the oxidative ability of Fe3+ cation on the surface decreased due to the incorporation of Ti into γ-Fe2O3, the concentration of NH3 adsorbed on the surface and the concentration of reducible Fe3+ cation on the surface both increased. As a result, (Fe2Ti)0.8O4 showed excellent activity, selectivity, and H2O/SO2 durability for the SCR reaction at 300–400°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]