Cost-effective fast-synthesis of Chabazite zeolites for the reduction of NOx

Abstract The costly synthesis of conventional CHA zeolites for ammonia selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NH3-SCR of NOx) has hindered their widespread applications. In this study, highly crystalline CHA zeolites (CHA-Y and CHA-B) were successfully synthesized from low-cost NaY and Al-rich beta precursors and alternately low cost or low content structure directing agents through the inter-zeolite conversion route. After ion exchange with Cu, the Cu-CHA-Y and Cu-CHA-B showed superior performance in the NH3-SCR of NOx reaction, which can be attributed to their high surface area, abundant acidic sites. The in situ analysis by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) revealed the reaction intermediates of NH3-SCR of NOx over the low-cost prepared Cu-CHA catalysts. The as- prepared low-cost Cu-CHA catalysts are promising candidates for the reduction of NOx conforming to the economic production of deNOx catalysts.