HYDROGEN

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hydrogen selective catalytic reduction (H ₂ -SCR) catalyst compositions for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO _X ) from engine exhaust gas in the presence of a hydrogen gas reductant. For example, the H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions comprise a first component comprising a metal component supported by an oxide support and a second component comprising a zeolite. The present disclosure is also directed to selective catalytic reduction articles, emission treatment systems for selectively reducing NO _X compounds from an exhaust stream, and methods for treating an exhaust gas stream containing NO _X compounds. NOx describes various chemical species of nitrogen oxides, including nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO ₂ ), among others.

[0002] By way of example, diesel engine exhaust gas is a heterogeneous mixture of gaseous, liquid, and solid emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), unburned or partially burned hydrocarbons or oxygenates thereof (HC), NOx, and particulate matters. These emissions are subject to governmental legislation. Therefore, catalyst compositions and substrates on which the compositions are disposed are provided in diesel engine exhaust systems to convert certain or all of these exhaust components to innocuous components and reduce the amount of emissions released to the atmosphere.

[0003] Presently two commercial technologies are utilized for diesel NOx control: (1) selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with urea (or ammonia) and (2) lean NOx trap (LNT). The SCR technology is used in heavy duty and light duty applications. LNT technology is used exclusively for light duty applications. The SCR process catalytically reduces nitrogen oxides with a reductant (e.g., urea or ammonia) in the presence of excess oxygen, resulting in the formation predominantly of nitrogen and steam. Alternatively, an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition, which relies on hydrogen gas rather than ammonia as the reductant, may be used for the reduction of NOx from an engine exhaust gas. Hydrogen gas is a more reactive reducing agent than ammonia at low temperatures (e.g., less than 200 °C). In the case of a diesel engine, a hydrogen gas generator may be provided upstream of the catalyst composition as a source of hydrogen gas for use as the reductant.

[0004] Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) are often placed in the exhaust flow path from diesel engines to treat the exhaust before it vents to the atmosphere for the conversion of gaseous HC and CO emissions. The NO _X species in engine exhausts is predominately in the form of NO. It is well known that an NH3 (or urea) SCR catalyst would perform more efficiently at lower temperatures, such as below 250 °C, if the NO/NO ₂ molar ratio is close to about 1. To enhance the low temperature NO _X performance on the downstream NH ₃ -SCR catalyst, a diesel oxidation catalyst is also used to convert a fraction of NO in the exhaust stream to NO ₂ . However, NO conversion efficiency becomes very low below 250 °C.

[0005] NOx emission levels are also a concern for the engine exhaust gas of a hydrogen internal combustion engine, which bums hydrogen gas. With a hydrogen gas fuel there is no CO or unburned or partially burned hydrocarbons or oxygenates thereof. However, when hydrogen is combusted with air, NOx may be formed as a result of O ₂ /N2 reactions in the combustion chamber. Unburnt hydrogen gas and/or the additional hydrogen gas injected into the exhaust stream may be used as the reductant for an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition.

[0006] However, there exists known issues with state-of-the-art SCR catalysts, and in particular H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition, such as the narrow operation temperature windows for effective NOx conversion and the undesired side effect of high nitrous oxide (N ₂ O) formation. H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions are more effective at low temperatures, such as around 100 to 250 °C, where hydrogen gas can selectively react with NOx on catalyst surfaces. This makes an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition an excellent candidate for low-temperature NOx control, particularly compared to an SCR catalyst composition that relies on ammonia as the reductant. At higher temperatures, however, hydrogen gas preferentially reacts with oxygen that exists in large quantities in the exhausts of most compression ignition engines. During H ₂ - SCR, the process also generates high levels of N ₂ O byproduct, with N ₂ O yield ranging from 20 to 40%. As N ₂ O is a powerful greenhouse gas, which is highly regulated in most of the world’s automotive markets, its formation by an H ₂ -SCR catalyst should be reduced before the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition is selected for NOx control.

[0007] One theoretical mechanism for how an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) from engine exhaust gas in the presence of a hydrogen gas reductant is presented by the following elementary reaction steps. where > represents the active catalytic sites on metal surface, and (a) denotes atom or molecule chemically adsorbed on the surface. It is theorized that hydrogen molecules adsorb on the surface of the supported metal component and dissociate to hydrogen atoms. NO molecules can associatively and dissociatively adsorb on the surface. Combination of two adsorbed N atoms forms a N ₂ molecule and that of one NO molecule and an O atom forms N ₂ 0. The surface H atoms scavenge the surface O atoms forming water and thus keep the metal surface reduced or activated. Oxygen is not a necessary reactant for NO reduction but a competitor for hydrogen because oxygen increases the required hydrogen to keep the metal surface from being oxidized or deactivated.

[0008] EP 3 409 359 A2 discloses a 4-way catalyst composition, comprising a plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles hybridized to a metal zeolite, wherein the metal oxide nanoparticle has a maximum dimension of from 0.1 to 50 nm.

[0009] WO 2018/073750 Al relates to emission treatment systems comprising a hydrogen selective catalytic reduction article, and catalytic articles for selectively reducing NOx compounds.

[00010] US 2021/102486 Al relates to an emission control system for treatment of an exhaust gas stream, comprising an oxidation catalyst composition disposed on a substrate in fluid communication with the exhaust gas stream; at least one selective catalytic reduction (SCR) composition disposed on a substrate downstream from the oxidation catalyst composition; and a hydrogen injection article configured to introduce hydrogen into the exhaust gas stream upstream of the oxidation catalyst composition or downstream of the oxidation catalyst composition and upstream of the at least one SCR composition.

[00011] EP 2 313 196 A2 discloses a binary mixed oxide catalyst suitable for reducing NO _X using H ₂ as a reducing agent, the catalyst comprising one from the A metal oxide of Fe ₂ O ₃ and one from the B metal oxide of MnO ₂ , which are co-precipitated and mixed.

[00012] With worldwide NOx regulations becoming more stringent and average engine exhaust temperatures ever decreasing, controlling NOx emissions with current SCR technology is becoming more and more challenging. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to identify more effective NOx reduction H ₂ -SCR technologies that may be sufficiently effective at a variety of temperature ranges without producing high yields of N ₂ O gas in order to meet future stringent regulations. [00013] The present disclosure provides advanced H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions that significantly increase NOx conversion and decrease N ₂ O formation relative to standard reference H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions, especially at low temperatures. In particular, it was discovered that by adding a zeolite component to a PGM component on an oxide support, one could significantly increase the NOx conversion and decrease N ₂ O formation with an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition. This simultaneous improvement in activity and selectivity appears to be related to a heretofore unrecognized synergistic effect between the two components. FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition of the present disclosure with a first component comprising a metal component (PGM, black dot) on an oxide support (white ovoid) combined with a separate second component comprising a zeolite (yellow squares).

[00014] The improved performance was achieved with a variety of compositions, including but not limited to those with a metal component selected from platinum (Pt) and/or palladium (Pd) on a (mixed) oxide support along with a zeolite with a zeolite structure, such as *BEA, FER, MOR, CHA, FAU, and MFI.

[00015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. Other aspect and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00016] To provide an understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the appended drawings. The drawing is exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. The disclosure described herein is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the appended drawings. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some features may be exaggerated relative to other features for clarity.

[00017] FIG. 1A shows the comparison of NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiments of the present disclosure to a standard Pt-SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ reference composition.

[00018] FIG. IB shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions ofFIG. 1A. [00019] FIG. 2A shows the comparison of NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions with PGM (Pt) supported on either an oxide support or on a zeolite support.

[00020] FIG. 2B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 2 A.

[00021] FIG. 3A shows the comparison NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiments of the present disclosure with different oxide/ Y-zeolite mixing ratios to a standard Pt-Si/TiO ₂ reference composition.

[00022] FIG. 3B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 3A.

[00023] FIG. 4A shows the NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions with different PGM (Pt) concentrations on an oxide or zeolite support.

[00024] FIG. 4B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 4 A.

[00025] FIG. 5A compares the NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiments of the present disclosure with different CHA zeolites to a standard Pt-SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ reference composition.

[00026] FIG. 5B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 5 A.

[00027] FIG. 6A shows the NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions wherein the PGM is Pd or a mixture of Pt and Pd.

[00028] FIG. 6B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 6 A.

[00029] FIG. 7A shows the NOx conversion of H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiments of the present disclosure with zeolites of varying iron loadings to a standard Pt-SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ reference composition.

[00030] FIG. 7B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 7 A.

[00031] FIG. 8A compares the NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiments of the present disclosure to a standard Pt/Al ₂ O ₃ reference composition.

[00032] FIG. 8B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 8 A. [00033] FIG. 9A shows the comparison NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiments of the present disclosure with different oxide/ Beta-zeolite mixing ratios to a Pt-SiO ₂ /WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ reference composition.

[00034] FIG. 9B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 9 A.

[00035] FIG. 10A compares the NOx conversion rates of H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions with an oxide support of SiO ₂ .

[00036] FIG. 10B shows the comparison of N ₂ O formation rates of the catalyst compositions of FIG. 10 A.

[00037] Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00038] As used herein, “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity, e.g., “a support” refers to one or more supports or at least one support unless stated otherwise. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein.

[00039] As used herein, the term “about” means approximately, in the region of, roughly, or around. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 5%. All numeric values are modified by the term “about whether or not explicitly indicated. Numeric values modified by the term “about” include the specific identified value. For example, “about 100” means a number ranging from 95 to 105, including 95, 100, and 105. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[00040] As used herein, “catalyst” or “catalyst material” or catalytic material” refers to a material that promotes a reaction.

[00041] As used herein, the term “catalytic article” refers to an element that is used to promote a desired reaction. For example, a catalytic article may comprise a washcoat containing a catalyst species, e.g., a catalyst composition, on a substrate, e.g., a honeycomb substrate.

[00042] As used herein, the term “metal component” refers to any platinum group metal (PGM) except for osmium (i.e., Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, or Pt). Reference to PGM allows for the presence of the metal in any valence state. For example, the PGM may be in metallic form, with zero valence, or the PGM may be in another form, such as an oxide form or a nitrate form. The terms “ruthenium (Ru),” “rhodium (Rh),” “iridium (Ir),” “palladium (Pd),” “platinum (Pt),” and the like refer to the respective PGM compound, complex, or the like which, upon calcination or use of the catalyst, decomposes or otherwise converts to a catalytically active form, usually the metal or the metal oxide.

[00043] As used herein, the terms “nitrogen oxides” or “NOx” refers to oxides of nitrogen. Exemplary nitrogen oxides include oxide compounds, such as NO and NO ₂ .

[00044] As used herein, “support” of a “catalyst” or “catalyst material” or “catalytic material” refers to material that receives the “catalyst” or “catalyst material” or “catalytic material” through precipitation, association, dispersion, impregnation, or other suitable means. The term “oxide support” refers to an oxide compound comprising a transition metal or lanthanide (e.g., aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), zinc (Zn), niobium (Nb), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tin (Sn), silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), or combinations thereof that is catalytically active for reduction of NOx, or promotes another catalytic component to be more active for reduction of NOx. An oxide support particularly includes oxides of copper, iron, manganese, tin, aluminum, zirconium, silicon, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, and combinations thereof.

[00045] As used herein, the term “promoted” refers to a metal component (“promoter metal”) that is intentionally added to, e.g., a zeolite, typically through ion exchange, as opposed to impurities inherent in the zeolite. In some embodiments, promoter metals that can be used to prepare promoted zeolites of the disclosed catalyst compositions include, but are not limited to, iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). In some embodiments, both copper and iron may be present as promoter metals.

[00046] As used herein, the term “substrate” refers to the monolithic material onto which the catalyst composition is placed, typically in the form of a washcoat containing a plurality of supports having catalytic species thereon

[00047] As used herein, the term “zeolite” refers to a specific example of a molecular sieve, including silicon and aluminum atoms. Zeolites are crystalline materials having rather uniform pore sizes which, depending upon the type of zeolite and the type and amount of cations included in the zeolite lattice, range from about 3 to 10 Angstroms (A) in diameter. [00048] The term “acidic zeolite” refers to a protonated zeolite (H-zeolite) or a zeolite which can be converted to an H-zeolite, such as NH4-zeolite. The term “H-Zeolite” refers to a zeolite having more than 90% exchangeable sites as protons (H+). H ₂ -SCR Catalyst Compositions

[00049] In the present disclosure, a hydrogen selective catalytic reduction (H ₂ -SCR) catalyst composition is provided that is effective to catalyze the reduction of NOx from engine exhaust gas in the presence of a hydrogen gas reductant. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst comprises a first component comprising a metal component supported by an oxide support and a second component comprising a zeolite.

[00050] In some embodiments, the metal component is a PGM selected from platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and combinations thereof. For example, the metal component may be selected from platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments the metal component is either platinum or palladium or combination of platinum and palladium.

[00051] In some embodiments, two or more PGMs may be combined on the same oxide support. For example, both platinum and palladium may be present on the same oxide support. In other embodiments, the composition further comprises a third component comprising a second PGM supported on a separate second oxide support. For example, platinum and palladium may be present on different oxide supports; one from the first component and one from the third component. Whether present on the same or different oxide supports, the platinum to palladium weight ratio may range from about 1 : 10 to about 10: 1, from about 1 :5 to about 10: 1, from about 1 :1 to about 10: 1, from about 2: 1 to about 10:1, or from about 3: 1 to about 5:1.

[00052] Each supported PGM can be prepared separately or multiple PGMs can be impregnated in the same process on the same support.

[00053] The metal component may be dispersed on the oxide support by, for example, dispersing a soluble precursor (e.g., palladium nitrate) thereon. Alternatively, the metal component is provided in particulate form in the composition, such as fine particles as small as 1 to 15 nanometers in diameter or smaller.

[00054] The amount of metal component deposited on the oxide support may vary. For example, an exemplary PGM loading for the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition may be about 1 to about 200 g/ft ³ , such as about 10 to about 50 g/ft ³ . The first component of the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition may comprise from about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1.0%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, about 2.0%, about 3.0%, about 4.0%, or about 5.0%, to about 6.0%, about 7.0%, about 8.0%, about 9.0%, about 10.0%, about 11.0%, about 12.0%, about 13.0%, about 14.0%, about 15.0%, about 16.0%, about 17.0%, about 18.0%, about 19.0% or about 20.0% of a PGM by weight with respect to weight of the oxide support. In some embodiments, the metal component is present in an amount of about 0.1% by weight to about 10.0% by weight with respect to weight of the oxide support.

[00055] In some embodiments, the oxide support is an oxide of Al, V, W, Ti, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Ce, La, Pr, Zn, Nb, Zr, Mo, Sn, Si, Ca, Y, or a combination thereof. Possible oxide supports include AI ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , MgO, La ₂ O ₃ , CaO, Y ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , SiO ₂ , FeO _x , and MnO _x . In some embodiments, the oxide support is selected from TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , AI ₂ O ₃ , and SiO ₂ . Oxides of Co, Cr, Ag, and Au are not appropriate oxide supports for the compositions of the present disclosure.

[00056] In other embodiments, the oxide support is a mixed oxide support. Possible mixed oxide supports include TiO ₂ /ZrO ₂ , CeO ₂ /MgO, WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ , WO ₃ / AI ₂ O ₃ , WO ₃ /TiO ₂ , WO ₃ /SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ /La ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ , V ₂ O ₅ /TiO ₂ -Al ₂ O ₃ , Nb ₂ O ₅ /SiO ₂ , ZnO/Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ , SiO ₂ / AI ₂ O ₃ , Mn/TiO ₂ /A12O ₃ , and perovskites. In further embodiments, the oxide support is selected from TiO ₂ /ZrO ₂ , WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ , WO ₃ /AI ₂ O ₃ , WO ₃ /TiO ₂ , WO ₃ /SiO ₂ , SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ and SiO ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ .

[00057] In some embodiments, the metal component of the first component and/or the second PGM of the third component is supported by an oxide/zeolite support. The present disclosure is not directed to H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions with a first component comprising a zeolite support and no oxide support.

[00058] In some embodiments, the first and/or third components of the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition may further comprise an acidic oxide modifier (sometimes referred to as a promoter) on the oxide support. When an acidic oxide modifier is present, the mass ratio of modifier to PGM may range from about 1 :1 to about 1 :30. For example, the mass ratio of modifier to PGM may range from about 1 :3 to about 1 : 10. The lower end of the range can be 1 : 1, 1 :2, 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 :6, 1 :7, 1 :8, 1 :9. The upper end of the range can be 1 : 10, 1 : 12, 1 :14, 1 : 16, 1 : 18, 1 :20, 1 :22, 1 :24, 1 :26, 1 :28, and 1 :30. In certain embodiments, the acidic oxide modifier on the oxide support can be selected from SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Nb ₂ O ₅ , MoO ₃ , and combinations thereof. By way of examples, SiCL may be present as an acidic oxide modifier of a TiO ₂ or AI ₂ O ₃ support or SiCL and WO ₃ may be present as acidic oxide modifiers of a ZrCL support. For example, an acidic modifier may be added as colloidal nanoparticles to the support and, thus, not part of the support. When an oxide is part of a mixed oxide support, a “/” is used to indicate the combination, such as Pt/SiCL/TiCL. When an oxide is used as an acidic modifier, this is shown with a such as Pt-SiCL/TiCL.

[00059] The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition comprises a second component comprising a zeolite. In some embodiments, the second component consists essentially of or consists of zeolite. The structure type of the zeolite may vary. In certain embodiments, the zeolite has a structure type selected from AEI, AFT, AFX, AVL, *BEA, CHA, DDR, EAB, EEI, ERI, FAU, FER, IFY, IRN, KFI, LEV, LTA, LIN, MOR, MER, MFI, MWF, NPT, PAU, RHO, RTE, RTH, SAS, SAT, SAV, SFW, TSC, UFI, and combinations thereof.

[00060] In some embodiments, the zeolite is an acidic zeolite. For example, the zeolite may have a structure type chosen from MOR (H-mordenite), *BEA (H-beta), FER (H-ferrierite), CHA (H-chabazite), FAU (H-Y), MFI (H-ZSM-5), and combinations thereof.

[00061] Zeolites do not have a practical activity for an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition. However, when a zeolite, particularly an acidic zeolite, is included as a second component for an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition, a synergistic effect was unexpectedly observed. The presence of the zeolite as a second component increased the NOx conversion characteristics and reduced the amount of N ₂ O formed during the catalytic reaction with respect to the first component alone. This synergistic effect was not observed when the first component comprised a zeolite. [00062] In other embodiments, the second component of the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition is a metal-promoted zeolite. The metal promoting the zeolite is generally a base metal (e.g., a transition metal or lanthanide). In some embodiments, the metal promoting the zeolite is one or more of Cu, Co, Ni, La, Mn, Fe, V, Ag, Ce, Nd, Mo, Hf, Y, or W. In certain embodiments, the metal promoting the zeolite is one or more of Cu and Fe. In certain embodiments, the metal promoting the zeolite is Fe. Reference to “metal” in this context allows for the presence of the metal in any valence state. For example, the metal promoting the zeolite may be in metallic form, with zero valence, or the metal may be in an oxide form. Generally, the metal promoting the zeolite will be present in an oxide form.

[00063] Zeolites generally have a silica to alumina (Si/ Al) molar ratio of 2 or greater. In some embodiments, the zeolite of the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition has a Si/ Al molar ratio in the range of 2: 1 to 100: 1. In other embodiments, the zeolite has a Si/ Al molar ratio in the range of 10: 1 to 15: 1. Within a Si/ Al molar ratio of 10: 1 to 15: 1, it has been observed that an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition of the present disclosure with a FAU or FER structure type provided better activity at lower temperatures and broader reactions temperature windows than other structure types. It is theorized that the increased NOx conversion is related to the Bronsted acidity of zeolite. The lower the Si/ Al molar ratio in a zeolite, the higher acid density a zeolite would provide. However, a lower Si/ Al molar ratio would typically lead to a less hydrothermally stable zeolite.

[00064] In some embodiments, the catalyst composition has a first component to second component ratio ranging from 95:5 to 10:90.

Preparation of H ₂ -SCR Catalyst Compositions

[00065] According to the present disclosure, a H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition is generally prepared by providing a first component comprising a metal component supported by an oxide support and providing a second component comprising a zeolite. The first and second components are initially separate components. If present, the third component may be separate or previously combined with the first component.

[00066] The components may be combined to form the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition by various methods. In one embodiment, the components may be physically mixed, such as dry powder mixing. In another embodiment, the components may be combined by dispersing the components in solvent, such as water, to form a slurry. In yet another embodiment, the components may be co-milled, such as ball or wet milling.

[00067] Generally, the catalyst composition is prepared so as to be coated on a substrate. Typical additional components of the catalyst composition include, but are not limited to, additives to control, e.g., pH and viscosity of the catalyst composition to be coated. Additional components can include associative thickeners and/or surfactants (including anionic, cationic, non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants). A typical pH range for the catalyst composition to be coated is about 3 to about 6. Addition of acidic or basic species to the catalyst composition to be coated can be carried out to adjust the pH accordingly. For example, in some embodiments, the pH is adjusted downward by the addition of aqueous acetic acid or nitric acid or upward by the addition of monoethanolamine.

[00068] The present H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions may also be prepared using a binder, for example, a ZrCh binder derived from a suitable precursor such as zirconyl acetate or any other suitable zirconium precursor such as zirconyl nitrate. Zirconyl acetate binder provides a coating that remains homogenous and intact after thermal aging, for example, when the catalyst is exposed to high temperatures of at least about 600 °C to about 800 °C, and higher. Other potentially suitable binders include, but are not limited to, alumina and silica. Alumina binders include aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, and aluminum oxyhydroxides. Aluminum salts and colloidal forms of alumina may also be used. Silica binders include various forms of SiO ₂ , including silicates and colloidal silica. Binder compositions may include any combination of zirconia, alumina, and silica.

[00069] After the components have been combined, the catalyst composition to be coated can be milled to reduced particle size and to enhance mixing of the particles and formation of a homogenous material. The milling can be accomplished in a ball mill, continuous mill, or other similar equipment, and the solids content of the slurry may be, e.g., about 20-60 wt.%, more particularly about 20-40 wt.%. In one embodiment, the post-milling slurry is characterized by a D90 particle size of about 1 to about 40 microns, preferably 2 to about 20 microns, more preferably about 4 to about 15 microns.

[00070] To simulate real world use scenarios, the catalyst composition may be hydrothermally aged, such as at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air prior to testing for NOx conversion and N ₂ O formation rates..

Catalytic Articles

[00071] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) article effective to catalyze the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from an exhaust gas in the presence of a hydrogen gas reductant comprises a substrate having an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition of the present disclosure disposed thereon.

[00072] Substrates

[00073] In one or more embodiments, the present H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions are disposed on a substrate to form a catalytic article. Catalytic articles comprising the substrates are generally employed as part of an exhaust gas treatment system (e.g., catalyst articles including, but not limited to, articles including the SCR compositions disclosed herein). Useful substrates are 3 -dimensional, having a length and a diameter and a volume similar to a cylinder. The shape does not necessarily have to conform to a cylinder. The length is an axial length defined by an inlet end and an outlet end.

[00074] According to one or more embodiments, the substrate for the disclosed composition(s) may be constructed of any material typically used for preparing automotive catalysts and will typically comprise a metal or ceramic honeycomb structure. The substrate typically provides a plurality of wall surfaces upon which the washcoat composition is applied and adhered, thereby acting as a substrate for the catalyst composition.

[00075] Ceramic substrates may be made of any suitable refractory material, e.g., cordierite, cordierite-a-alumina, aluminum titanate, silicon titanate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, zircon mullite, spodumene, alumina-silica-magnesia, zircon silicate, sillimanite, a magnesium silicate, zircon, petalite, a-alumina, an aluminosilicate and the like.

[00076] Substrates may also be metallic, comprising one or more metals or metal alloys. A metallic substrate may include any metallic substrate, such as those with openings or “punch- outs” in the channel walls. The metallic substrates may be employed in various shapes such as pellets, compressed metallic fibers, corrugated sheet or monolithic foam. Specific examples of metallic substrates include heat-resistant, base-metal alloys, especially those in which iron is a substantial or major component. Such alloys may contain one or more of nickel, chromium, and aluminum, and the total of these metals may advantageously comprise at least about 15 wt. % (weight percent) of the alloy, for instance, about 10 to about 25 wt. % chromium, about 1 to about 8 wt. % of aluminum, and from 0 to about 20 wt. % of nickel, in each case based on the weight of the substrate. Examples of metallic substrates include those having straight channels; those having protruding blades along the axial channels to disrupt gas flow and to open communication of gas flow between channels; and those having blades and also holes to enhance gas transport between channels allowing for radial gas transport throughout the monolith.

[00077] Any suitable substrate for the catalytic articles disclosed herein may be employed, such as a monolithic substrate of the type having fine, parallel gas flow passages extending there through from an inlet or an outlet face of the substrate such that passages are open to fluid flow there through (“flow-through substrate”). Another suitable substrate is of the type have a plurality of fine, substantially parallel gas flow passages extending along the longitudinal axis of the substrate where, typically, each passage is blocked at one end of the substrate body, with alternate passages blocked at opposite end-faces (“wall-flow filter”).

[00078] In some embodiments, the catalyst substrate comprises a honeycomb substrate in the form of a wall-flow filter or a flow-through substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate is a wall-flow filter. In some embodiments, the substrate is a flow-through substrate. Flow-through and wall-flow substrates are also taught, for example, in International Application Publication No. WO 2016/070090 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0178380 Al, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[00079] Substrate Coating Process

[00080] To produce an SCR article of the present disclosure, a substrate is coated with an H ₂ - SCR catalyst composition as disclosed herein.

[00081] The present H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions may typically be applied in the form of one or more washcoats of the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition. A washcoat is formed by preparing a slurry containing a specified solids content (e.g., about 10 to about 60% by weight) of catalyst composition in a liquid vehicle, which is then applied to a substrate using any washcoat technique known in the art and dried and calcined to provide a coating layer. If multiple coatings are applied, the substrate is dried and/or calcined after each washcoat is applied and/or after the number of desired multiple washcoats are applied. In one embodiment, the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition is applied to the substrate as a single washcoat.

[00082] After calcining, the catalyst loading obtained by the above described washcoat technique can be determined through calculation of the difference in coated and uncoated weights of the substrate. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the catalyst loading can be modified by altering the slurry rheology. In addition, the coating/drying/calcining process to generate a washcoat layer (coating layer) can be repeated as needed to build the coating to the desired loading level or thickness, meaning more than one washcoat may be applied.

[00083] The present catalytic coating may comprise one or more coating layers, where at least one layer comprises the present H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition or one or more components of the catalyst composition. The catalytic coating may comprise one or more thin, adherent coating layers disposed on and in adherence to least a portion of a substrate. The entire coating comprises the individual “coating layers”.

[00084] In some embodiments, the present catalytic articles may include the use of one or more catalyst layers and combinations of one or more catalyst layers. Catalytic materials may be present on the inlet side of the substrate wall alone, the outlet side alone, both the inlet and outlet sides, or the wall itself may consist all, or in part, of the catalytic material. The catalytic coating may be on the substrate wall surfaces and/or in the pores of the substrate walls, that is “in” and/or “on” the substrate walls. Thus, the phrase “a washcoat disposed on the substrate” means on any surface, for example on a wall surface and/or on a pore surface.

[00085] The washcoat(s) can be applied such that different coating layers may be in direct contact with the substrate. Alternatively, one or more “undercoats” may be present, so that at least a portion of a catalytic coating layer or coating layers are not in direct contact with the substrate (but rather, are in contact with the undercoat). One or more “overcoats” may also be present, so that at least a portion of the coating layer or layers are not directly exposed to a gaseous stream or atmosphere (but rather, are in contact with the overcoat).

[00086] Alternatively, the present H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition may be in a top coating layer over a bottom coating layer. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition may be present in a top and a bottom layer. Any one layer may extend the entire axial length of the substrate, for instance a bottom layer may extend the entire axial length of the substrate and atop layer may also extend the entire axial length of the substrate over the bottom layer. Each of the top and bottom layers may extend from either the inlet or outlet end.

[00087] For example, both bottom and top coating layers may extend from the same substrate end where the top layer partially or completely overlays the bottom layer and where the bottom layer extends a partial or full length of the substrate and where the top layer extends a partial or full length of the substrate. Alternatively, a top layer may overlay a portion of a bottom layer. For example, a bottom layer may extend the entire length of the substrate and the top layer may extend about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80% or about 90% of the substrate length, from either the inlet or outlet end.

[00088] Alternatively, a bottom layer may extend about 10%, about 15%, about 25%, about 30%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85% or about 95% of the substrate length from either the inlet end or outlet end and a top layer may extend about 10%, about 15%, about 25%, about 30%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85% or about 95% of the substrate length from either the inlet end of outlet end, wherein at least a portion of the top layer overlays the bottom layer. This “overlay” zone may for example extend from about 5% to about 80% of the substrate length, for example about 5%, about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60% or about 70% of the substrate length.

[00089] In some embodiments, the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition as disclosed herein, disposed on the substrate as disclosed herein, comprises a first washcoat comprising the H ₂ - SCR catalyst composition, wherein the first washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the length of the catalyst substrate; and a second washcoat with the same or a different composition is disposed on at least a portion of the length of the catalyst substrate. [00090] In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate, and the second washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the first washcoat. In some embodiments, the second washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate, and the first washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the second washcoat. In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate from the inlet end to a length of from about 10% to about 50% of the overall length; and the second washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the first washcoat. In some embodiments, the second washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate from the inlet end to a length of from about 50% to about 100% of the overall length; and the first washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the second washcoat. In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate from the inlet end to a length of from about 20% to about 40% of the overall length, and the second washcoat extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate from the outlet end to a length of from about 10% to about 50% of the overall length, and the second washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the first washcoat. In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate from the outlet end to a length from about 20 to about 40% of the overall length, and the second washcoat extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. In some embodiments, the second washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate from the outlet end to a length of from about 50% to about 100% of the overall length, and the first washcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the second washcoat. In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate covering 100% of the overall length, and the second washcoat is disposed on the first washcoat covering 100% of the overall length. In some embodiments, the second washcoat is disposed directly on the catalyst substrate covering 100% of the overall length, and the first washcoat is disposed on the second washcoat covering 100% of the overall length.

[00091] The catalytic coating may advantageously be “zoned,” comprising zoned catalytic layers, that is, where the catalytic coating contains varying compositions across the axial length of the substrate. This may also be described as “laterally zoned”. For example, a layer may extend from the inlet end towards the outlet end extending about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, or about 90% of the substrate length. Another layer may extend from the outlet end towards the inlet end extending about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, or about 90% of the substrate length. Different coating layers may be adjacent to each other and not overlay each other. Alternatively, different layers may overlay a portion of each other, providing a third “middle” zone. The middle zone may, for example, extend from about 5% to about 80% of the substrate length, for example about 5%, about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60% or about 70% of the substrate length.

[00092] Zones of the present disclosure are defined by the relationship of coating layers. With respect to different coating layers, there are several possible zoning configurations. For example, there may be an upstream zone and a downstream zone, there may be an upstream zone, a middle zone and a downstream zone, there may four different zones, etc. Where two layers are adjacent and do not overlap, there are upstream and downstream zones. Where two layers overlap to a certain degree, there are upstream, downstream and middle zones. Where for example, a coating layer extends the entire length of the substrate and a different coating layer extends from the outlet end a certain length and overlays a portion of the first coating layer, there are upstream and downstream zones.

[00093] For instance, the article may comprise an upstream zone comprising the first washcoat layer comprising the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition; and a downstream zone comprising a second washcoat layer with the same or a different composition.

[00094] Alternatively, an upstream zone may comprise the second washcoat layer and a downstream zone may comprise the first washcoat layer.

[00095] In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed on the catalyst substrate from the inlet end to a length of from about 10% to about 50% of the overall length; and the second washcoat is disposed on the catalyst substrate from the outlet end to a length of from about 50% to about 90% of the overall length. In some embodiments, the first washcoat is disposed on the catalyst substrate from the outlet end to a length of from about 10% to about 50% of the overall length; and wherein the second washcoat is disposed on the catalyst substrate from the inlet end to a length of from about 50% to about 90% of the overall length.

[00096] In some embodiments, a catalytic article may further comprise a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) composition, which maybe in a zone downstream from an Ffc-SCR catalyst composition, in a bottom layer with an upper layer comprises an Ffc-SCR catalyst article, or where the DOC composition intermingled with an Ffc-SCR catalyst composition. In other embodiments, a catalytic article may further comprise a low temperature NOx adsorbent (LTNA). The LTNA functionality may be part of a DOC composition, part of a H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition, part of both the DOC composition and the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition, separate from the DOC composition and from the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition, or combinations thereof.

Exhaust Gas Treatment Systems

[00097] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an emissions treatment system for selectively reducing NOx compounds from an exhaust gas stream comprises the SCR article with the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition disclosed herein. Another embodiment may feature a system which comprises an H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition and an NH3-SCR catalyst composition.

[00098] In further embodiments, the emission treatment system may further comprise a hydrogen gas generator or a hydrogen gas injector. The hydrogen gas generator or hydrogen may be in fluid communication and upstream of the H ₂ -SCR catalytic article. Such a system may also comprise a pump, a reservoir, etc. The hydrogen generator could vary and may be selected from the group consisting of on-board hydrogen, hydrogen produced from alcohol reforming, hydrogen produced from ammonia decomposition, hydrogen produced from hydrocarbon reforming, and mixtures thereof.

[00099] In some embodiments, the emission treatment system may further comprise a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalytic article comprising a substrate and a LNT catalyst composition, the LNT catalytic article in fluid communication and downstream of the H ₂ -SCR catalytic article. [000100] The relative placement of the various components present within the emission treatment system can vary. In the present exhaust gas treatment systems and methods, the exhaust gas stream is received into the SCR article(s) or treatment system by entering the upstream end and exiting the downstream end. The inlet end of a substrate of an article is synonymous with the “upstream” end or “front” end. The outlet end is synonymous with the “downstream” end or “rear” end. The treatment system is, in general, downstream of and in fluid communication with an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine or a hydrogen internal combustion engine.

Method of Treating Engine Exhaust

[000101] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of treating the exhaust gas stream containing NOx compounds. In some embodiments, the method includes treating the exhaust gas stream during a cold phase, or cold start phase, that is where the exhaust gas temperatures are about 200 °C or lower, about 175 °C or lower, about 150 °C or lower, about 125 °C or lower, or about 100 °C or lower. In some embodiments, the method includes treating the exhaust gas stream, where the exhaust temperature is about 100 °C to about 250 °C.

[000102] The method can include placing the H ₂ -SCR catalyst article according to the present disclosure downstream from an engine and flowing the engine exhaust gas stream over the catalyst. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprising placing additional catalyst components downstream from the engine as noted above.

[000103] The present H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions, articles, systems, and methods are suitable for treatment of exhaust gas streams of diesel engines and hydrogen internal combustion engines. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions are also suitable for treatment of NOx emissions from stationary industrial processes, from indoor air, or for catalysis in chemical reaction processes.

[000104] It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts that suitable modifications and adaptations to the compositions, methods, and applications described herein can be made without departing from the scope of any embodiments or aspects thereof. The compositions and methods provided are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments. All of the various embodiments, aspects, and options disclosed herein can be combined in all variations. The scope of the compositions, methods, and applications described herein include all actual or potential combinations of embodiments, aspects, options, examples, and preferences herein. All patents and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference herein for the specific teachings thereof as noted, unless other specific statements of incorporation are specifically provided

[000105] Before describing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details of construction or process steps set forth in the following examples and is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[000106] Embodiments:

[000107] The present invention is further illustrated by the following set of embodiments and combinations of embodiments resulting from the dependencies and back-references as indicated. In particular, it is noted that in each instance where a range of embodiments is mentioned, for example in the context of a term such as “The process accordingly to any one of embodiments 1 to 4”, every embodiment in this range is meant to be explicitly disclosed for the skilled person i.e. the wording of this term is to be understood by the skilled person as being synonymous to “The process according to any one of embodiments 1, 2, 3 and 4”. Further, it is explicitly noted that the following set of embodiments is not the set of claims determining the extent of protection, but represent a suitably structured part of the description directed to general and preferred aspects of the present invention.

[000108] Embodiment 1. A hydrogen selective catalytic reduction (H ₂ -SCR) catalyst composition effective for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO _X ) from engine exhaust gas in the presence of a hydrogen gas reductant, the H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition comprising: (i) a first component comprising a platinum group metal (PGM) supported by an oxide support; and (ii) a second component comprising a zeolite.

[000109] Embodiment 2. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the metal component is the PGM selected from platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), and combinations thereof. An exemplary PGM loading may be about 1 to about 200 g/ft ³ when coated on a substrate, such as about 10 to about 50 g/ft ³ . Additionally, the composition may comprise from about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1.0%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, about

2.0%, about 3.0%, about 4.0%, or about 5.0%, to about 6.0%, about 7.0%, about 8.0%, about

9.0%, about 10.0%, about 11.0%, about 12.0%, about 13.0%, about 14.0%, about 15.0%, about

16.0%, about 17.0%, about 18.0%, about 19.0% or about 20.0% ofPGM by weight with respect to weight of the oxide support.

[000110] Embodiment 3. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 2, wherein the PGM is Pt.

[000111] Embodiment 4. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 2, wherein the PGM is Pd.

[000112] Embodiment 5. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-4, further comprising a second PGM supported on the oxide support.

[000113] Embodiment 6. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 5, wherein the second PGM is Pd. For example, when the metal component is Pt, the Pt to Pd weight ratio may range from about 1 : 10 to about 10: 1, from about 1 :5 to about 10:1, from about 1 : 1 to about 10: 1, from about 2: 1 to about 10: 1, or from about 3: 1 to about 5: 1.

[000114] Embodiment 7. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-6, further comprising a third component comprising a second PGM supported on a second oxide support. [000115] Embodiment 8. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 7, wherein the metal component is Pt and the second PGM is Pd. For example, the Pt to Pd weight ratio may range from about 1 : 10 to about 10:1, from about 1 :5 to about 10: 1, from about 1 : 1 to about 10: 1, from about 2 : 1 to about 10 : 1 , or from about 3 : 1 to about 5: 1.

[000116] Embodiment 9. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the metal component is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight with respect to the weight of oxide support.

[000117] Embodiment 10. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the oxide support is an oxide of aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni ), manganese (Mn), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), zinc (Zn), niobium (Nb), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tin (Sn), silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), or combinations thereof. For example the oxide support is an oxide of copper, iron, manganese, tin, aluminum, zirconium, silicon, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, or combinations thereof.

[000118] Embodiment 11. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 10, wherein the oxide support is selected from AI ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , MgO, La ₂ O ₃ , CaO, Y ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , SiC>2, FeOx, and MnO _x , such as from TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , AI ₂ O ₃ , and SiO ₂ .

[000119] Embodiment 12. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the oxide support is a mixed oxide support.

[000120] Embodiment 13. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 12, wherein the mixed oxide is selected from TiO ₂ /ZrO ₂ , CeO ₂ /MgO, WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ , WO ₃ /AI ₂ O ₃ , WO ₃ /TiO ₂ , WO ₃ /SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ /La ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ , V ₂ O ₅ /TiO ₂ -Al ₂ O ₃ , Nb ₂ O ₅ /SiO ₂ , ZnO/Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ , SiO ₂ /AEO ₃ , Mn/TiO ₂ /AEO ₃ , and perovskites. For example, the mixed oxide is selected from TiO ₂ /ZrO ₂ , WO ₃ /AI ₂ O ₃ , WO ₃ /TiO ₂ , WO ₃ /SiO ₂ , WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ , and SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ , and SiO ₂ /AEO ₃ .

[000121] Embodiment 14. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-13, further comprising an acidic oxide modifier on the oxide support.

[000122] Embodiment 15. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 14 wherein the acidic oxide modifier is selected from SiO ₂ , WO ₃ , Nb ₂ O ₃ , MoO ₃ , and TiO ₂ .

[000123] Embodiment 16. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiment 1-15 wherein the mass ratio of metal component to acidic oxide modifier ranges from about 1 : 1 to about 1 :30. [000124] Embodiment 17. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the mass ratio of metal component to acidic oxide modifier ranges from about 1 :3 to about 1 : 10.

[000125] Embodiment 18. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-17, wherein zeolite is an acidic zeolite.

[000126] Embodiment 19. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein the second component consists essentially of an acidic zeolite.

[000127] Embodiment 20. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst compositions according to any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein the zeolite is a metal promoted zeolite. For example, the metal promoting the zeolite is one or more of Cu, Co, Ni, La, Mn, Fe, V, Ag, Ce, Nd, Mo, Hf, Y, and W.

[000128] Embodiment 21. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 20, wherein the metal promoted zeolite is selected from Fe/Zeolite, Cu/Zeolite, and Fe/Cu/zeolite. [000129] Embodiment 22. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the zeolite comprises more than one structure type.

[000130] Embodiment 23. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-22, wherein the zeolite has a structure type selected from AEI, AFT, AFX, AVL, *BEA, CHA, DDR, EAB, EEI, ERI, FAU, FER, IFY, IRN, KFI, LEV, LTA, LIN, MOR, MER, MFI, MWF, NPT, PAU, RHO, RTE, RTH, SAS, SAT, SAV, SFW, TSC, UFI, and combinations thereof.

[000131] Embodiment 24. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to embodiment 23, wherein the zeolite is chosen from FAU, *BEA, MOR, MFI, CHA, FER, and combinations thereof.

[000132] Embodiment 25. The catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-24, wherein the zeolite has a Si/ Al molar ratio in the range of 2: 1 to 100: 1, such as in the range from 10: 1 to 15: 1.

[000133] Embodiment 26. The catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-25, wherein the first component and second component are added in a mass ratio ranging from 95:5 to 10:90.

[000134] Embodiment 27. The H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the first component and second component are combined into a composite by: (1) physical mixing the first and second components; (2) dispersing the first and second components in water to form a slurry; (3) co-milling the first and second components; or (4) a combination thereof.

[000135] Embodiment 28. A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) article effective to catalyze the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO _X ) from exhaust gas in the presence of a hydrogen gas reductant, the SCR article comprising a substrate having H ₂ -SCR catalyst composition according to any one of embodiments 1-27 disposed thereon.

[000136] Embodiment 29. An emissions treatment system for selectively reducing NO _X compounds from an exhaust gas stream, the system comprising the SCR article according to embodiment 28.

[000137] Embodiment 30. The emission treatment system of embodiment 29, further comprising a hydrogen gas generator or a hydrogen gas injector.

[000138] Embodiment 31. A method for treating an exhaust gas stream containing NOx compounds, the method comprising passing the exhaust gas stream through the emissions treatment system of any one of embodiments 29-30.

[000139] Embodiment 32. The method for treating an exhaust gas stream of embodiment 31, wherein the exhaust gas stream is an exhaust stream of a hydrogen internal combustion engine or a hydrogen-treated exhaust stream of a diesel engine.

[000140] Claims or descriptions that include “or” or “and/or” between at least one member of a group are considered satisfied if one, more than one, or all the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. The disclosure includes embodiments in which exactly one member of the group is present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process. The disclosure includes embodiments in which more than one, or all the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process.

[000141] Furthermore, the disclosure encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutations in which at least one limitation, element, clause, and descriptive term from at least one of the listed claims is introduced into another claim. For example, any embodiment/claim that is dependent on another embodiment/claim can be modified to include at least one limitation found in any other embodiment/claim that is dependent on the same base embodiment/claim. Where elements are presented as lists, such as, e.g., in Markush group format, each subgroup of the elements is also disclosed, and any element(s) can be removed from the group. It should be understood that, in general, where the disclosure, or aspects of the disclosure, is/are referred to as comprising particular elements and/or features, embodiments of the disclosure or aspects of the disclosure consist, or consist essentially of, such elements and/or features. For purposes of simplicity, those embodiments have not been specifically set forth in haec verba herein. Where ranges are given (such as, e.g., from [X] to [¥]), endpoints (such as, e.g., [X] and [Y] in the phrase “from [X] to [Y]”) are included unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values that are expressed as ranges can assume any specific value or subrange within the stated ranges in different embodiments of the disclosure, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[000142] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following nonlimiting examples.

EXAMPLES

[000143] The following examples are intended to be illustrative and are not meant in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[000144] Unless stated otherwise, evaluation of the catalytic activity of the samples listed below was carried out on a continuous flow fixed-bed quartz tubular reactor with an internal diameter of 4 mm. A catalyst sample of 26 mg (40-60 mesh) was diluted with 0.25 g of inert SiC powder (40-60 mesh) to minimize any hot spots. For a zeolite-containing catalyst (PGM/oxide + zeolite), the sample contained the same amount of metal as that of a PGM/oxide sample. The feed gas mixture comprised of 500 ppm NO, 1% H ₂ , 10% O ₂ , 5% CO ₂ and 5% H ₂ O and balance Ar with a flow rate of 200 cm ³ /min, which resulting in a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 461,500 mLg ^-1 h ^-1 . Reactants and products were analyzed online using a MultiGas 2030 CEMCert FTIR spectrometer coupled with a Mass Spectrometer (MS, Hi den Analytical), mlz ratios of 32 and 2 were used for O ₂ and H ₂ detection, respectively. NO _X conversion is defined as ( C _Nox-inlet - C _NOx-outlet ) / C _Nox-inlet x 100%, where C _Nox-inlet and C _NOx-outlet are the NO _X (NO + NO ₂ ) concentrations at the catalyst inlet and outlet, respectively. N ₂ O yield is defined as C _N2O-outlet x 2 / C _Nox-inlet x 100%, where C _N2O-outlet is the outlet N ₂ O concentration.

[000145] EXAMPLE 1: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of lPt-8Si/TiO ₂ + zeolite

[000146] Table 1 lists two-component catalysts of the present disclosure and a one-component reference catalyst. Sample l is a reference catalyst and was prepared by impregnating a mixed solution of colloidal Pt nanoparticles and colloidal SiO ₂ nanoparticles (acidic oxide modifier) on a TiO ₂ support using the incipient wetness technique. The particle sizes of the colloidal Pt are within 1 nm and 4 nm. The average particle size of the colloidal SiO ₂ is about 12 nm. After impregnation, the resulting material was calcined in air at 550 °C for 2 hours. The Pt and SiO ₂ concentrations are 1% by weight and 8% by weight, respectively, with respect to the weight of the oxide support. Samples 2 to 7 were prepared by mechanically mixing the reference catalyst with a zeolite component at 1 : 1 weight ratio. The zeolite in Samples 2 to 7 is a H-form of beta (Si/Al=12.5: 1), ferrierite (Si/Al=l 0: 1), chabazite (Si/Al=14.5: 1), Y (Si/Al=l 5 : 1), ZSM-5 (Si/Al=15: 1) and mordenite (Si/Al=l 0: 1), respectively. All samples, including the reference sample, were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air. All samples in Table 1 contain the same amount of Pt.

Table 1

[000147] As shown by FIGs. 1A and IB, which compare the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 1, Samples 2-7 show higher NO _X conversion and lower N ₂ O formation at most of the tested temperatures than Reference Sample 1 (reference sample). Sample 5 (Zeolite Y) is most active in promoting NO _X conversion, while Sample 2 (Zeolite *Beta-containing catalyst) has the lowest N ₂ O formation.

[000148] EXAMPLE 2: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of 1Pt-8SiO ₂ / TiO ₂ + Y

[000149] Table 2 lists samples prepared by two different types of component combinations and their corresponding references. Samples 1 and 5 were prepared as described in Example 1. [000150] Sample 8 is a reference catalyst and was prepared by impregnating the colloidal Pt nanoparticle on zeolite H-Y (Si/Al= 15 : 1) using the incipient wetness technique. 8% SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ was prepared by impregnating the colloidal SiO ₂ nanoparticles (acidic oxide modifier) on TiO ₂ support. Comparative Sample 9 was prepared by mechanically mixing IPt/Y and 8% SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ at 1 :1 weight ratio. All samples were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air.

Table 2

[000151] As shown in FIGs. 2A and B, which compare the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 2, Reference Sample 8 (directly supporting Pt on zeolite H-Y) results in lower NOx conversion compared to Reference Sample 1 (IPt- 8SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ reference). Furthermore, Comparative Sample 9 (Pt/Y + 8SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ ) improves the NOx conversion but increases N ₂ O formation at low temperatures. Overall, the highest NOx conversion across the entire temperature window was observed on Sample 5. While Sample 5 and Comparative Sample 9 comprise Pt, SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , and H-Y zeolite, substantially different NOx conversion and N ₂ O formation rates were observed.

[000152] Example 3: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of !Pt-8SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ + Y with different oxide to zeolite ratios

[000153] Table 3 lists Reference Sample 1 and catalysts comprising lPt-8SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ + Y with different ratios of lPt-8SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ to Y. The catalysts were prepared with the same method as in Example 1 and aged under the same conditions. All samples were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air. All samples in Table 3 contains the same amount of Pt.

Table 3

[000154] As shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively of the samples listed in Table 3, all zeolite-containing samples show higher NO _X conversion and lower N ₂ O formation relative to the Pt/oxide reference regardless of the mixing ratio.

[000155] Example 4: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of 0.5Pt-4SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ and 0.5Pt/Y

[000156] Table 4 lists of four catalysts samples. Sample 5 and Comparative Sample 9 were prepared as described in Examples 1 and 2, respectively. Reference Sample 12 was prepared with the same method as Reference Sample 1 as described in Example 1 but with 50% of Pt and SiO ₂ (acidic oxide modifier) concentrations. Similarly, Reference Sample 13 was prepared with the same method as Reference Sample 8 as described in Example 2 but with 50% of Pt concentration. All four samples in Table 4 contain the same amount of Pt in the final catalyst, i.e., 0.5 % by weight with respect to the weight of the catalyst. All samples were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air.

Table 4

[000157] As shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 4, the lower concentration of Pt and SiC>2 affected the NOx conversion and N ₂ O formation rates. For example, Reference Sample 13 showed the lowest NO _X conversion at low temperatures, while Sample 5 showed the highest NO _X conversion.

[000158] Example 5: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of IPt-8SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ + ICuCHA [000159] Table 5 lists Reference Sample 1, two-component Sample 4 in which the zeolite is H-chabazite, and two-component Sample 14 in which the H-chabazite of Sample 4 was replaced with Cu-chabazite. Reference Sample 1 and Sample 4 were prepared as described in Example 1. Sample 14 was prepared similar to Sample 4, but the H-chabazite (Si/Al = 14.5: 1) of Sample 4 was replaced with Cu-chabazite (1% CuO). All samples were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air.

Table 5

[000160] As shown in FIGs. 5A and 5 B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 5, Sample 14 shows similar NO _X conversion to Sample 4 at lower temperatures. However, at higher temperatures, Sample 14 shows lower NO _X conversion than either Reference Sample 1 or Sample 4.

[000161] Example 6: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of Pt/Pd and Pd Catalysts

[000162] Table 6 lists catalysts containing either Pt/Pd or Pd on a TiO ₂ support. Reference Samples 15 and 17 were prepared by impregnating a solution mixture of colloidal Pt, Pd nitrate, and colloidal SiO ₂ (acidic oxide modifier) of an appropriate component ratio (Pt/Pd weight ratio of 8/1 for Reference Sample 15 and 4/1 for Reference Sample 17, both with 8 wt.% SiO ₂ ) on TiO ₂ using the incipient wetness technique. Reference Sample 19 was prepared the same way as Reference Sample 1 in Example 1, but the colloidal Pt of Reference Sample 1 was replaced by Pd nitrate. Samples 16, 18, and 20 were prepared by mechanically mixing the respective reference catalyst of Reference Samples 15, 17, and 19 with an H-Y zeolite component at 1 :1 weight ratio. The PGM concentration on the support is 1% by weight after calcination for all samples. All samples, including the reference samples, were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air.

Table 6

[000163] As shown in FIGs. 6A and 6 B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 6, Sample 20 (Pd catalyst with H- Y-zeolite addition) has some advantage in NO _X conversion relative to Reference Sample 19 with comparable N ₂ O formation. Samples 16 and 18 (PtPd catalysts) demonstrate that the addition of H-Y-zeolite increases NO _X conversion and significantly decreases N ₂ O formation relative to Reference Samples 15 and 17.

[000164] Example 7: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of lPt-8 SiO ₂ /TiO ₂ + xFeY

[000165] Table 7 lists Reference Sample 1 and catalysts in which the zeolite Y of Sample 5 is replaced with xFeY (Si/Al = 15: 1). Reference Sample 1 was prepared as described in Example 1. Samples 21 to 24 were prepared with the same method as Sample 5 as in Example 1, except zeolite H-Y being replaced by xFeY (Si/Al=15: 1) with various Fe2O ₃ loadings (x = 0.25%, 0.5%, 1% and 3% by weight, respectively, with respect to the weight of zeolite). All samples were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air.

Table 7 [000166] As shown in FIGs. 7A and 7B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 7, addition of FeY increases the NO _X conversion and decreases N ₂ O formation relative to Reference Sample 1. The best performance was observed with Sample 22.

[000167] Example 8: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of IPt/AI ₂ O ₃ + zeolite

[000168] Table 8 lists a series of catalysts based on IPt/AI ₂ O ₃ . IPt/AI ₂ O ₃ was prepared by impregnating the colloidal Pt nanoparticle solution on AI ₂ O ₃ support. After impregnation, the resulting material was calcined in air at 550 °C for 2 hours. The Pt concentration on the support is 1% by weight with respect to the weight of the support after calcination.

[000169] Sample 26 to 31 were prepared by mechanically mixing Sample 25 with a zeolite component at 1 : 1 weight ratio. The zeolite in Samples 26 to 31 is a H-form of beta (Si/Al=12.5: 1), ferrierite (Si/Al=10: 1), chabazite (Si/Al=14.5: 1), Y (Si/Al=l 5 : 1), ZSM-5 (Si/Al=15: 1) and mordenite (Si/Al=10: 1), respectively. All samples, including the reference sample, were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air.

Table 8

[000170] As shown in FIGs. 8A and 8B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 8, all zeolite-containing catalysts (Samples 26-31) show higher NO _X conversion across the temperature range than the reference sample (Sample 25). Samples 27 and 29 show the highest NO _X conversion. Samples 26, 30 and 31 show the lowest N ₂ O formation.

[000171] Example 9: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of WO ₃ /Z1 O ₂ as Pt support

[000172] Table 9 lists catalysts made using WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ as the support. Sample 32 is a reference sample. The 5%WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ mixed oxide support was prepared by impregnating (NFL^eWnO ₃ g solution on Zr(OH)4 followed by a calcination at 550 °C for 2 hours in air, which resulting in 5%WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ . A mixed solution of colloidal Pt nanoparticles and colloidal SiO ₂ nanoparticles (acidic oxide modifier) was then added to the WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ mixed oxide support using the incipient wetness technique. The resulting material was calcined in air at 550 °C for 2 hours. After calcination the sample contains Pt at 1 % and 8% SiO ₂ by weight with respect to the weight of the support. It was further aged at 650 °C for 50 hours in 10% steam/air.

[000173] Samples 33 to 35 were prepared by mechanically mixing the aged IPt- 8Si/5WO ₃ /ZrO ₂ powder with a fresh H-beta (Si/Al=12.5: 1) powder at an oxide to zeolite ratio of 2:1, 1 : 1 and 1 :2, respectively. All samples in Table 9 contain the same amount of Pt.

Table 9

[000174] As shown in FIGs. 9A and 9B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 9, all zeolite-containing samples (Samples 33-35) show higher NO _X conversion relative to the Pt/oxide reference regardless mixing ratio. The N ₂ O formation on these zeolite-containing catalysts is mixed, depending on the temperature range and oxide/zeolite mixing ratio.

[000175] Example 10: Catalyst Preparation and Evaluation of IPt/SiOi + Y

[000176] Table 10 lists catalysts with a SiO ₂ support. Reference Sample 36 was prepared by impregnating colloidal Pt nanoparticle solution on a SiO ₂ support. After impregnation, the resulting material was calcined in air at 550 °C for 2 hours. The Pt concentration on the support is 1% by weight after calcination. Sample 37 was prepared by mechanically mixing Reference Sample 36 with zeolite H-Y at 1 : 1 weight ratio. Both samples were hydrothermally aged at 650 °C for 50 hours with 10% steam in air. Table 10

[000177] As shown in FIGs. 10A and 10B, which compares the NO _X conversion and N ₂ O formation rates, respectively, of the samples listed in Table 10, Sample 37 shows similar NO _X conversion to Reference Sample 36. However, the N ₂ O formation on Sample 37 is lower.

Cited prior art documents:

- EP 3 409 359 A2

- WO 2018/073750 Al

- US 2021/102486 Al

- EP 2 313 196 A2