Precise regeneration of NOx reduction catalysts poisoned by metal ions via Sabatier principle of antidote-active center interaction

The use of catalysts in industrial processes is critical for reducing harmful emissions, such as NOx, and improving environmental sustainability. However, the poisoning of catalysts by alkali and heavy metals can limit their effectiveness and lead to increased environmental impacts. The development of a precise regeneration approach for metal-poisoned catalysts can help extend the lifetime of the catalysts and reduce the need for frequent replacement, thereby reducing the consumption of materials and energy required for catalyst production. The application of the Sabatier principle of antidote-active center interaction in this study provides a new approach for the regeneration of metal-poisoned catalysts. By using formic acid, which has similar ionization constant as vanadic acid, the best regeneration performance was achieved with high removal efficiency for metal poisons and high retention of active species. This approach not only extends the overall lifetime of catalysts, but also reduces the environmental impact associated with the disposal of spent catalysts. Overall, this study contributes to the development of cleaner production technologies by providing a framework for the precise regeneration of metal-poisoned catalysts. The approach demonstrated in this study can be applied to other catalytic systems and has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of industrial processes.