Strong metal oxide-zeolite interactions during selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides

In response to the stricter EU VII emission standards and the "150 ℃ challenge", selective catalytic reduction by ammonia (NH₃-SCR) catalysts for motor vehicles are required to achieve high NO conversion below 200 °C. Compounding metal oxides with zeolites is an important strategy to design the low-temperature SCR catalysts. Here, we original prepared Cu-SSZ-13 @ MnGdO_x (Cu-Z @ MGO), which achieved over 90% NO conversion and 95% N₂ selectivity at 150 ℃. It has been demonstrated that a uniform mesoporous loaded layer of MGO grows on Cu-Z, and a recrystallization zone appears at the MGO-Cu-Z interface. We discover that the excellent low-temperature SCR activity derives from the strong metal oxide-zeolite interaction (SMZI) effects. The SMZI effects cause the anchor and high dispersion of MGO on the surface of Cu-Z. Driven by the SMZI effects, the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ redox cycle ensures the low and medium temperature-SCR activity and the Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ redox cycle guarantees the medium and high temperature-SCR activity. The introduction of MGO improves the reaction activity of -NH₂ species adsorbed at Mn sites at 150 ℃, achieving a cycle of reduction and oxidation reactions at low temperatures. This strategy of inducing SMZI effects of metal oxides and zeolites paves a way for development of high-performance catalysts.