A Novel Fe2O3/AC Catalyst for Catalytic Reduction of SO2 with CO

Activated carbon (AC) was modified with dilute nitric acid, and then Fe2O3/AC catalyst was prepared by impregnation-precipitation method using urea as precipitant. The surface chemical property, pore structure and surface morphology were characterized by using acid-base titration, N-2 physical adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope. N-2 physical adsorption and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the effect of calcination temperature on the surface pore structure and lattice stability of the catalysts prepared by impregnation -precipitation method. Catalytic activity of catalyst was studied by using the reduction of SO2 by CO. The results indicated that the surface modification of the supports improved their specific surface area, pore volume and surface chemical property, which improved the conversion of SO2 and the yield of sulfur. Meanwhile, the calcination temperature had a large influence on the pore structure of catalyst and dispersion of active component. The highest catalytic activity for catalyst was obtained from the support modified with dilute nitric acid and the catalyst calcined at 500 degrees C.