Sulphur dioxide deactivation of NOx storage catalysts

Journal article, 1999

The influence of sulphur dioxide on the NOx storage performance of a Pt-Rh/BaO/Al2O3 model catalyst has been investigated. Addition of 2.5-25 vol.-ppm SO2 to a synthetic lean-burn exhaust, containing NO, C3H6, O2 and Ar, caused deactivation of the NOx storage function of the catalyst. The rate of deactivation was found to be proportional to the exposure of SO2. This effect is seen for temperatures between 250 and 450 degrees C. Together with in situ FTIR measurements, this leads to the conclusion that sulphur accumulates in the NOx storage component of the catalyst during the exposure. Furthermore, SO2 also inhibits the oxidation capacity of the catalyst during lean periods as is observed by a decreased NO oxidation activity. The presence of SO2 also reduces the reduction capacity of the catalyst under rich periods, which leads to an increased N2O formation and a decreased NO conversion.