Fe2O3 nanoparticles anchored in situ on carbon nanotubes via an ethanol-thermal strategy for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

Abstract

Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were anchored in situ on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via an ethanol-thermal route, for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃. The structure and surface characteristics of the obtained catalysts were measured by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, H₂-temperature programmed reduction, and NH₃-temperature programmed desorption. Compared with catalysts prepared via impregnation or co-precipitation methods, the synthesized catalyst showed better catalytic activity and a more extensive operating-temperature window. The TEM and XRD results suggested that the iron species was uniformly anchored on the surface of the CNTs. The Raman and XPS results indicated that the catalyst has a relatively higher number of defects, a higher atomic concentration of Fe present on the surface of the CNTs and a higher content of chemisorbed oxygen species. The H₂-TPR and NH₃-TPD results demonstrated that the catalyst possesses a more powerful reducibility and stronger acid strength than the other two catalysts. Based on the above-mentioned physicochemical properties, the obtained catalyst showed an excellent performance in the SCR of NO to N₂ with NH₃. Additionally, the catalyst also presented outstanding stability, H₂O resistance and SO₂ tolerance.