X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies on active metal sites in zeotypes during the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with propene in an oxygen rich atmosphere

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the synthesis and characterisation of CuAPO-5, CuSAPO-5 and also copper ion-exchanged SAPO-5, SAPO-11 and ZSM-5. The ability of these materials to catalyse the selective reduction of NOx using propene as the reducing agent (SCR-HC) in an oxygen rich environment has been investigated. NOx, a term representing the nitrogen oxides, is part of the waste gases emitted from combustion processes in both stationary and mobile sources. NOx is a potent pollutant because it reacts with sunlight in photochemical processes to produce smog and acid rain making it a serious environmental challenge globally.