Effect of copper precursors on the catalytic activity of Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3

The Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts prepared by different copper precursors were used for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3. The Cu/ZSM-5 catalyst prepared by the copper nitrate (Cu/ZSM-5-N) presented the best performance among the Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts and showed above 90 % NOx conversion at 225–405 °C. The average particle size of CuO was 5.82, 9.20, and 11.01 nm over Cu/ZSM-5-N, Cu/ZSM-5-S (prepared by copper sulfate), and Cu/ZSM-5-C (prepared by copper chloride), respectively. The Cu/ZSM-5-N catalyst showed the highly dispersed copper species, the strong surface acidity, and the excellent redox ability compared with the Cu/ZSM-5-C and Cu/ZSM-5-S catalysts. The Cu+ and Cu2+ existed in the Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts and the abundant Cu+ over Cu/ZSM-5-N might be responsible for the superior SCR activity.