Enhancing low-temperature NO_x storage and reduction performance of a Pt-based lean NO_x trap catalyst

Two lean NO_x trap(LNT) catalysts, Pt/BaO/CeO_2 + Al_2O_3 and Pt/BaO/CeO_2-Al_2O_3, were prepared and compared for low-temperature(< 250℃) NO_x storage and reduction performance. The influence of the form of ceria on low-temperature NO_x storage and reduction performance of LNT catalysts was investigated with the focus on NO_x storage capacity, NO_x reduction efficiency during lean/rich cycling, product selectivity and thermal stability.Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES), Brunner-Emmet-T eller(BET), H_2-pulse chemisorption and X-ray diffraction(XRD) were conducted to characterize the physical properties of LNT catalysts. NO_x storage capacity and NO_x conversion efficiency were measured to evaluate NO_x storage and reduction performance of LNT catalysts. Pt/BaO/CeO_2-Al_2O_3 catalyst exhibits higher NO_x storage capacity than Pt/BaO/CeO_2 + Al_2O_3 catalyst in the temperature range of 150-250 ℃. Meanwhile, Pt/BaO/CeO_2-Al_2O_3 catalyst shows better NO_x conversion efficiency and N_2 selectivity. XRD results indicate that the thermal stability of CeO_2-Al_2O_3 complex oxide is superior to that of pure CeO_2. H_2-pulse chemisorption results show that Pt/BaO/CeO_2-Al_2O_3 catalyst has higher Pt dispersion than Pt/BaO/CeO_2 + Al_2O_3 catalyst over fresh and aged samples. The improved physical properties of Pt/BaO/CeO_2-Al_2O_3 catalyst are attributed to enhance the NOx storage and reduction performance over Pt/BaO/CeO_2 + Al_2O_3 catalyst.