Synthesis of Cu-Ce-BTC catalyst and its catalytic performance for denitration and synergistic mercury removal

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and mercury (Hg0) produced by coal combustion are harmful to the environment. It is the most direct, simple and economic technology to use the existing SCR (Selective catalytic reduction) denitration process to achieve efficient mercury removal. Therefore, it is of practical significance to develop a highperformance SCR denitration synergistic mercury removal catalyst. Based on this, Cu-Ce-BTC catalyst was synthesized by one pot hydrothermal method. Its physicochemical properties were studied by various characterization methods, and its denitration and synergistic mercury removal was investigated. The results showed that: (1) Cu-Ce-BTC retains both Cu-BTC and Ce-BTC characteristic, indicating that Ce successfully enters the Cu-BTC skeleton structure. (2) Ce promotes the catalytic activity, when the Cu/Ce ratio is 2:1, it shows a good synergistic performance. The removal rates of NO and Hg0 reach 88.38% and 77.14% at 240 celcius. (3) The physical and chemical properties of Cu-Ce-BTC are still stable before and after the reaction. Also, Cu2+ participates in the removal of NO and Hg0, and some Cu2+ is converted into Cu+. Ce exists in two valence states of Ce3+ and Ce4+, and some redox reactions occur between them.