Improved lifetime and stability of copper species in hierarchical, copper-incorporated CuSAPO-34 verified by catalytic model reactions

Abstract

The first successful synthesis of hierarchical CuSAPO-34 (3.9 wt% Cu) is reported using the polymer Pluronic F127 as a mesoporous structure directing agent (SDA). X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed single site Cu²⁺ with 4 nearest oxygen neighbours at 1.96 Å. A catalytic model reaction, the selective reduction of NO with different sized hydrocarbons as reductants, explained that Cu²⁺ is accessible and reactive in both micro- and mesopores of the hierarchical CuSAPO-34. The presence of mesopores resulted in superior lifetime of the hierarchical CuSAPO-34 in the catalytic model reaction, selective oxidation of propene.