Promoted NH3-SCR activity and hydrothermal stability of Cu-SSZ-50 catalyst synthesized by one-pot method

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is one of the most critical contaminants in the air, and the control of NOx emission from diesel vehicles is very important. Cu-based small-pore zeolites have already been applied for NOx abatement on diesel vehicles. Among the small-pore zeolites, Cu-SSZ-50 catalysts with good NH3-SCR catalytic activity were believed to have potential for application. In this study, a one-pot synthesis method for Cu-SSZ-50 catalysts was developed for the first time, using the co-templates of Cu-TEPA and 2,6-dimethyl-N-methylpyridinium hydroxide. In this synthesis method, Cu-SSZ-50 with various Cu contents can be obtained by adjusting the amount of Cu-TEPA without the need for a further after-treatment process. The addition of Cu-TEPA affected the framework atoms and Cu species, and a lower Si/Al ratio and more SCR active Cu species were obtained. The synthesized catalyst with a Cu/Al ratio of 0.40 exhibited over 90% NOx conversion between 200 °C and 450 °C for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR). Meanwhile, over 80% NOx conversion could be obtained from 250 °C to 450 °C after hydrothermal aging at 750 °C for 16 h. In addition, both L-H and E-R mechanisms were proven to exist for the one-pot-synthesized Cu-SSZ-50 by in situ DRIFTS experiments. The simple synthesis procedure, excellent catalytic activity and hydrothermal stability brighten the prospects for the application of Cu-SSZ-50.