Selective catalytic reduction of NO over supported silver catalysts—practical and mechanistic aspects

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by hydrocarbons (HC-SCR) is one of the promising technologies for removal of NO in exhausts containing excess oxygen, such as diesel and lean burn gasoline engines. Supported Ag catalysts, especially Ag/Al2O3, are thought to be the promising candidates for use in diesel exhausts, as confirmed by several reports on engine bench tests. The HC-SCR performance of supported Ag catalysts is very sensitive to the reaction conditions, especially the type of hydrocarbons and the addition of H2. The control of reaction conditions would be key for practical use. The current research of supported Ag catalysts is reviewed from the viewpoints of practical use and the reaction mechanism, i.e., the reaction scheme, the role of surface adsorbed species, and the structure of active Ag species.