Effect of Cu loading on the performance and kinetics of Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts for selective catalytic reduction with...

A series of X%Cu/SAPO-34 (X = 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0) catalysts were prepared by ultrasonic impregnation method for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with ammonia. The effect of different Cu loadings on the selective catalytic reduction of NO by molecular sieve catalysts was examined on a fixed-bed reactor. Catalyst physicochemical properties were characterized and analyzed using XRD, TEM, NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS. Catalysts were used in reaction kinetics studies from the perspective of transient and steady-state kinetics. Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading had the best denitrification efficiency and wide activity window. Copper species were highly dispersed on the catalyst surface. Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading had rich acidic sites and excellent redox performance. Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts with 4% Cu loading possess minimal activation energy and were lower than commercial catalysts. According to the results of in situ IR, transient and steady-state analysis, the Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading in the NH₃-SCR reaction process was mainly E-R mechanism, and there was L-H mechanism.