Nanoscale tomography reveals the deactivation of automotive copper-exchanged zeolite catalysts

Joel E. Schmidt, Ramon Oord, Wei Guo, Jonathan D. Poplawsky () and Bert M. Weckhuysen ()
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Joel E. Schmidt: Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99
Ramon Oord: Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99
Wei Guo: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Jonathan D. Poplawsky: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Bert M. Weckhuysen: Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Copper-exchanged zeolite chabazite (Cu-SSZ-13) was recently commercialized for the selective catalytic reduction of NO X with ammonia in vehicle emissions as it exhibits superior reaction performance and stability compared to all other catalysts, notably Cu-ZSM-5. Herein, the 3D distributions of Cu as well as framework elements (Al, O, Si) in both fresh and aged Cu-SSZ-13 and Cu-ZSM-5 are determined with nanometer resolution using atom probe tomography (APT), and correlated with catalytic activity and other characterizations. Both fresh catalysts contain a heterogeneous Cu distribution, which is only identified due to the single atom sensitivity of APT. After the industry standard 135,000 mile simulation, Cu-SSZ-13 shows Cu and Al clustering, whereas Cu-ZSM-5 is characterized by severe Cu and Al aggregation into a copper aluminate phase (CuAl2O4 spinel). The application of APT as a sensitive and local characterization method provides identification of nanometer scale heterogeneities that lead to catalytic activity and material deactivation.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01765-0

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