Comparative study of mesoporous Ni(x)Mn(6−x)Ce(4) composite oxides for NO catalytic oxidation

In this work, a series of mesoporous Ni(x)Mn(6−x)Ce ternary oxides were prepared to investigate their NO catalytic oxidation ability. The sample Ni(2)Mn(4)Ce(4) showed a 95% NO conversion at 210 °C (GHSV, ∼80 000 h(−1)). Characterization results showed the good catalytic performance of Ni(2)Mn(4)Ce(4) was due to its high specific surface area, more surface oxygen and high valance manganese species, which can be ascribed to the incorporation of three elements. Based on the results of XRD, H(2)-TPR, O(2)-TPD and XPS, we confirmed the existence of Ni(3+) + Mn(3+) → Ni(2+) + Mn(4+), Ce(4+) + Ni(2+) → Ce(3+) + Ni(3+) in Ni(2)Mn(4)Ce(4), and the oxidation–reduction cycles were proved to be helpful for NO oxidation. The results from an in situ DRIFTS study indicated the presence of bidentate nitrate and monodentate nitrate species on the catalyst's surface. The nitrate species were proved to be intermediates for NO oxidation to NO(2). A nitrogen circle mechanism was proposed to explain the possible route for NO oxidation. Nickel introduction was also helpful to improve the SO(2) resistance of the NO oxidation reaction. The activity drop of Ni(2)Mn(4)Ce(4) was 13.15% in the presence of SO(2), better than Mn(6)Ce(4) (25.29%).