Abstract
Copper loaded η-alumina catalysts with different copper contents were prepared by impregnation/evaporation method. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, UVvis, H 2-TPR and evaluated, for the first time, in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH 3 and in the selective catalytic oxidation of NH 3. The characterization techniques showed that the impregnation/evaporation method permits to obtain highly dispersed copper oxide species on the η-alumina surface when low amount of copper is used (1wt. % and 2 wt.%). The wet impregnation method made it possible to reach a well dispersion of the copper species! on the surface of the alumina for the low copper contents Cu(1)-Al 2 O 3 and Cu(2)-Al 2 O 3. The latter justifies the similar behavior of Cu(1)-Al 2 O 3) and Cu(2)-Al 2 O 3 in the selective catalytic oxidation of NH 3 where these catalysts exhibit a conversion of NH 3 to N 2 of the order of 100% at T> 500°C .