Studies on the structural evolution of highly active Ir-based catalysts for the selective reduction of NO with reductants in oxidizing conditions

NO_x reduction over Ir-based catalysts in the presence of excess oxygen with hydrocarbon as a reductant was investigated in the focus on observing microstructure of an Ir particle supported on various carriers and structural evolution of highly active Ir-based catalysts in the NO_x reduction. Characterization of Ir-based catalysts using SEM, TEM, XRD, CO chemisorption and XPS, and reaction studies on various Ir-based catalysts have proved that the formation of a relatively large Ir metal particle with 40–60 nm of nanocrystal size carried on inert supports has been a prerequisite for the evolution of high activities in the NO_x reduction rather than the formation of Ir metal state on the catalyst. Furthermore, in inert gas conditions in a high temperature range of 850–950°C, Ir metal was easily formed by using the support such as TiO₂ and ZrO₂ that drastically decreased its specific surface area in the temperature range.