Spectroscopic Insights into the Mechanism of Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by Ammonia on Sulfuric Acid‐modified Fe2O3 Surface

Abstract Recently, we show that a novel architecture based on sulfuric acid‐modified Fe 2 O 3 nanoplates provide highly efficient catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH 3 . In the present article, it has been possible to identify the reaction mechanism and the nature of the surface active species in this catalyst by using time‐resolved diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier‐transform spectroscopy. The results suggest a catalytic cycle that involves surface NH 4 + and NO 2 − species, which would be efficient as surface species in the (NH 4 + )(NO 2 − )→N 2 +2H 2 O conversion. Hence, a model for the abatement of NO x has been proposed, which accounts for the observed high activity and selectivity of the catalyst.