The decisive role of CuI-framework O binding in oxidation half cycle of selective catalytic reduction

Cu-exchanged zeolite is an efficient catalyst to remove harmful nitrogen oxides from diesel exhaust gas through the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reaction. The SCR performance is structure dependent, in which a Cu with one adjacent framework Al (1AlCu) has lower activation energy in oxidative half-cycle than Cu with two adjacent framework Al (2AlCu). Using a combination of operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, valence to core - X-ray emission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, here we showed that 1AlCu proceeds with nitrate mechanism, in which side-on coordination of O2 at a CuI(NH3)xOfw (fw = framework) is the rate-limiting step in the oxidation half-cycle. As a result, the CuI(NH3)xOfw at 1AlCu can easily yield a transient CuIINOx intermediate upon breaking of Cu-Ofw after interaction with NO. In the meantime, 2AlCu has high barriers for Cu-Ofw bond breaking and proceeds with dimer mechanism. Our results show the coexisting of both dimer and nitrate mechanism, in particular at high Cu loadings, in which controlling the strength of the Cu-Ofw coordination is key for the O-O split in the nitrate pathway.