NOx Reduction over Smart Catalysts with Self-Created Targeted Antipoisoning Sites

Selective catalytic reduction of NO_x in the presence of alkali (earth) metals and heavy metals is still a challenge due to the easy deactivation of catalysts. Herein, NO_x reduction over smart catalysts with self-created targeted antipoisoning sites is originally demonstrated. The smart catalyst consisted of TiO₂ pillared montmorillonite with abundant cation exchange sites to anchor poisoning substances and active components to catalyze NO_x into N₂. It was not deactivated during the NO_x reduction process in the presence of alkali (earth) metals and heavy metals. The enhanced surface acidity, reducible active species, and active chemisorbed oxygen species of the smart catalyst accounted for the remarkable NO_x reduction efficiency. More importantly, the self-created targeted antipoisoning sites expressed specific anchoring effects on poisoning substances and protected the active components from poisoning. It was demonstrated that the tetrahedrally coordinated aluminum species of the smart catalyst mainly acted as self-created targeted antipoisoning sites to stabilize the poisoning substances into the interlayers of montmorillonite. This work paves a new way for efficient reduction of NO_x from the complex flue gas in practical applications.