Efficient MnFe/Al2O3 catalyst for NH3-SCR of NO at low temperature: the influence of strong interactions between active components and the carrier

Supported MnFeOx catalysts have been prepared using Al2O3 as the substrate and were investigated for NH3-SCR. The 20% MnFe/Al2O3 catalyst removed over 80% of NOx with an N2 selectivity exceeding 90% at temperatures between 80 and 340 °C. The results from the various characterization studies indicated that the increased activity of MnFe/Al2O3 catalysts can be primarily linked to the increased chemisorbed oxygen species and Fe3+ concentrations, greater reducibility, and higher adsorption capacity for NH3. These characteristics are the outcome of the strong interaction, larger specific surface, and abundant acidic sites. Additionally, in situ DRIFTS analysis of the reaction mechanism revealed that the E–R and L–H mechanisms were responsible for the NH3-SCR reaction over the 20% MnFe/Al2O3 catalyst.