Although the surface acidity of CeO2 has been
increased
by H2SO4 to increase its acid sites, the low-temperature
(<250 °C) activity of sulfated CeO2 catalysts still
needs to be improved. In this study, a Pt-modified CeO2 catalyst was prepared by impregnation or reduction methods to increase
its catalytic activity. The results showed the Pt-modified CeO2 catalyst significantly widened its low-temperature catalytic
window. The NO conversion and N2 selectivity of the Pt1.0%/SCe-I sample were both more than 90% at 200–350
°C because of its numerous acid sites, excellent redox ability,
and higher Pt2+ content. NH3, NH4+, –NH2, and bridging nitrates and monodentate nitrates
on the Pt1.0%/SCe-I catalyst surface acted as the active
substances. Among them, coordinated NH3 at the Lewis acid
sites reacted first. This study highlights the interactions among
metals, sulfates, and carriers and supplies a useful method to improve
the low-temperature activity of sulfated CeO2.