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Title: Sequential high temperature reduction, low temperature hydrolysis for the regeneration of sulfated NOx trap catalysts

Journal Article · · Catalysis Today, 136(1-2):183-187

We describe a new method that minimizes irreversible Pt sintering during the desulfation of sulfated Pt/BaO/Al2O3 lean NOx trap (LNT) catalysts. While it is known that the addition of H2O to H2 promotes desulfation, we find that the significant and irreversible Pt sintering arising from the presence of water is unavoidable. Control of precious metal sintering is considered to be one of the critical issues in the development of durable LNT catalysts. The new method described here is a sequential desulfation process: the first step is to reduce the sulfates with hydrogen only at higher temperatures to form BaS, followed by a treatment of the thus reduced sample with water at low to moderate temperatures to convert BaS to BaO and H2S. The data showed that Pt sintering was significantly inhibited due to the absence of H2O during the desulfation at high temperatures, and also demonstrates the similar NOx uptake with the desulfated sample cooperatively with H2 and H2O. Therefore, the sequential desulfation process may find applications in realistic systems to inhibit the irreversible sintering of the Pt in the lean NOx trap catalyst, leading to a longer catalyst life.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
929734
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-57306; CATTEA; 19800; VT0401000; TRN: US200812%%637
Journal Information:
Catalysis Today, 136(1-2):183-187, Vol. 136, Issue 1-2; ISSN 0920-5861
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English