Reverse Micelle Strategy for the Synthesis of MnOx-TiO2 Active Catalysts for NH3-Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx at Both Low Temperature and Low Mn Content

MnOx-TiO2 catalysts (0, 1, 5, and 10 wt % Mn nominal content) for NH3-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) of NOx have been synthesized by the reverse micelle-assisted sol-gel procedure, with the aim of improving the dispersion of the active phase, usually poor when obtained by other synthesis methods (e.g., impregnation) and thereby lowering its amount. For comparison, a sample at nominal 10 wt % Mn was obtained by impregnation of the (undoped) TiO2 sample. The catalysts were characterized by using an integrated multitechnique approach, encompassing X-ray diffraction followed by Rietveld refinement, micro-Raman spectroscopy, N-2 isotherm measurement at -196 degrees C, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction technique, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The obtained results prove that the reverse micelle sol-gel approach allowed for enhancing the catalytic activity, in that the catalysts were active in a broad temperature range at a substantially low Mn loading, as compared to the impregnated catalyst. Particularly, the 5 wt % Mn catalyst showed the best NH3-SCR activity in terms of both NOx conversion (ca. 90%) and the amount of produced N2O (ca. 50 ppm) in the 200-250 degrees C temperature range.