Passive NO Adsorption on Hydrothermally Aged Pd-Based Small-Pore Zeolites

Pd-based small-pore zeolites with different framework structures (AEI, CHA and RTH) were synthesized by a facile incipient wetness impregnation method. The zeolites were utilized as low-temperature passive NO x adsorbers (PNA) for NO x storage before and after hydrothermal aging. It was found that 1 wt% Pd/AEI showed better PNA behavior than the 1 wt% Pd/CHA and Pd/RTH samples, regardless of hydrothermal aging at 750 and 800 ℃. The AEI zeolite has a three-dimensional but tortuous pore channel structure, which accelerated Pd dispersion at 750 ℃ but inhibited Pd aggregation at 800 ℃ when subjected to hydrothermal aging. Pd/CHA showed a slight increase in Pd dispersion at 750 ℃, but extensive Pd aggregation at 800 ℃ due to its straight and unhindered three-dimensional pore structure. The Pd species in Pd/RTH zeolite were prone to accumulation during hydrothermal aging due to the two-dimensional pore structure. Therefore, Pd/AEI can be utilized as an efficient and stable PNA after activation by mild hydrothermal aging treatment.