Dependence of the catalytic activity of Ag/Al₂O₃ on the silver concentration in the selective reduction of NO _x with n-hexane in the presence of H₂

Abstract

The activity of 0.25–5% Ag/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with n-hexane under the conditions of promotion with a small amount of H₂ was studied. It was found that, upon the introduction of ∼1000 ppm of H₂ into the reaction mixture, the Ag/Al₂O₃ samples containing 1–2% Ag exhibited optimum activity and selectivity. It was established that, in the presence of 1000 ppm of H₂, the rate of the selective catalytic reduction of NO _x was higher by a factor of 10–13, and the onset temperature of the reaction was lower by approximately 100°C. It was found by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and UV spectroscopy that the high activity of 1–2% Ag/Al₂O₃ catalysts was due to the presence of small Ag ^δ+ _n and Ag ⁰ _m clusters on their surface. A decrease in the concentration of Ag below the optimum value resulted in the predominance of an inactive ionic form on the catalyst surfaces. As the concentration of Ag was increased (>2%), large particles of Ag₂O and Ag⁰, which facilitate the oxidation of n-C₆H₁₄, were formed to lead to a decrease in selectivity and in the degree of reduction of nitrogen oxides.