Effects of synthesis methods on catalytic activities of CoOx-TiO2 for low-temperature NH3-SCR of NO.

A series of cobalt doped TiO2 (Co-TiO2) and CoOx loaded TiO2 (Co/TiO2) catalysts prepared by sol-gel and impregnation methods respectively were investigated on selective catalytic reduction with NH3 (NH3-SCR) of NO. It was found that Co-TiO2 catalyst showed more preferable catalytic activity at low temperature range. From characterization results of XRD, TEM, Raman and FT-IR, Co species were proved to be doped into TiO2 lattice by replaced Ti atoms. After being characterized and analyzed by NH3-TPD, PL, XPS, EPR and DRIFTS, it was found that the better NH3-SCR activities of Co-TiO2 catalysts, compared with Co/TiO2 catalyst, were ascribed to the formation of more oxygen vacancies which further promoted the production of more superoxide ions (O2-). The superoxide ions were crucial for the formation of low temperature SCR reaction intermediates (NO3-) by reacting with adsorbed NO molecule. Therefore, these aspects were responsible for the higher low temperature NH3-SCR activity of Co-TiO2 catalysts.