MECHANISM OF THE LEAN NOX REACTION OVER CU/ZSM-5

Transient techniques (including TAP, temporal analysis of Products) have been used to probe the mechanism of the lean NO(x) reaction over Cu/ZSM-5. The activation of propene and nitric oxide by Cu/ZSM-5, in the presence and absence of oxygen, have been investigated by TAP to elucidate the nature of the reducing species involved in the formation of nitrogen. Propene is converted to long-lived (carbon-rich) species on the zeolite whether oxygen is present or not, and it is these deposited coke species which act as the reductant in this catalyst system. The ability of the coke to reduce nitric oxide is significantly enhanced by the presence of oxygen. The crucial role of the oxygen appears to be to induce the generation of an adsorbed state of NO(x) on the exchanged-Cu sites; these NO2-type species exist at temperatures characteristic of high lean NO(x) activity. During temperature-programmed reaction under a fuel-lean (oxidising) exhaust-gas, both nitric oxide and propene are retained at lower temperatures; as the temperature rises, so propene retention (as coke) and total oxidation begin to compete. However, there are sufficient reducing species still present on the surface to allow substantial reduction of the -NO2 species, as the latter approach their limit of thermal stability.