Catalytic Reduction of NO over Cu/C

The catalytic reduction of NO to N 2 and CO 2 by C over Cu/C was investigated and a relationship between the conversion of NO and Cu loading obtained. An optimum conversion of 100% was obtained at 410 °C over a Cu/C sample that contained 20 wt % Cu. For higher Cu contents the conversion decreased. The selectivities to N 2 and CO 2 at 360 and 410 °C were 100% over the samples that contained 5−30 wt % Cu. As the reaction time increased, the conversion of NO first decreased and later increased. An explanation is provided for this behavior. H 2 titration was employed to determine the change of the exposed surface area of Cu during reaction. The change of the surface area and of the pore size distribution of Cu/C during the reaction was also investigated.