Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 89: 76-101.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65136-4

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Fundamental insight into copper-based zeolite catalysts for NH3-SCR: Two decades’ progress and future perspectives

Ruiyuan Liua, Chengyang Yinb, Chengming Zhonga,*(), Jia Houa, Xiaofei Songa, Jian Liua, Zhen Zhaoa,b,*()   

  1. aState Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    bInstitute of Catalysis for Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, Liaoning, China
  • Received:2025-12-28 Accepted:2026-02-14 Online:2026-10-18 Published:2026-09-01
  • Contact: *E-mail:zhongchengming2022@126.com(C. Zhong),zhenzhao@cup.edu.cn/zhaozhen1586@163.com(Z. Zhao).
  • About author:Chengming Zhong (College of Science & State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing) He received his M.S. degree from China University of Petroleum-Beijing in 2020. Since 2020, he has been pursuing his Ph.D. degree at China University of Petroleum-Beijing. His research interests are focused on catalyst design and catalysis nature study for environmental catalysis, especially for vehicle exhaust emission control and industrial flue gas emission control from non-electric industries. He has published 2 peer-reviewed papers and been granted 1 authorized invention patent.
    Zhen Zhao (College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University) received his Ph.D. degree in 1996 from Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. From 1997 to 2002, he conducted postdoctoral research at National Institute for Resources and Environment (AIST, Japan), National Institute of Industrial Technology (Osaka, Japan), and Lehigh University (USA). Now, he is a Distinguished Professor “Changjiang Scholars Program”, Second Class Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at China University of Petroleum (Beijing); Shenyang Normal University Special Professor Hired, Dean of the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Shenyang Normal University, and Director of Institute of Catalysis for Energy and Environment. His research interests are focused on catalyst design and catalysis nature study for the energy catalysis; environmental catalysis and rare earth catalysis, especially for diesel exhaust purification, petrochemical conversion of oil and gas, and CO2 conversion and utilization. He has published more than 600 peer-reviewed papers with over 26800 citations and an H-index of 85, and has been an Elsevier Highly Cited Chinese Researcher for 11 consecutive years with more than 60 authorized invention patents.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(U25A20557);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22572131);National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFB3500601);National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFB3500603);National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFB3504100)

Abstract:

Amidst tightening mobile-source emission regulations, ammonia selective catalytic reduction remains the dominant post-treatment technology for NOx removal, with copper-exchanged zeolites (Cu-zeolites) serving as benchmark catalysts. Here, we systematically survey zeolite topologies—such as MFI, CHA, AEI, and LTA—evaluating their catalytic performance, reaction mechanisms, hydrothermal stability, and resistance to poisoning. A comprehensive overall pathway of sequential two-NO activation on dual ZCuOH sites is unified and complements the established L-NH3 (NH3 bond to solvated Cu2+ ions) activation model in the Reduction Half-Cycle. This work provides fundamental insights into the performance, hydrothermal stability, and SO2 resistance of Cu-based zeolites. Therefore, the fundamentals and new mechanistic insights of hydrothermal aging are summarized over Cu-SSZ-13, while highlighting Cu-SSZ-39 as an intrinsically robust successor. We dissect the SO2 poisoning mechanisms of Cu-CHA, demonstrating that engineering the atomic-scale distribution of Cu enhances both sulfur tolerance and hydrothermal stability. Supplementary strategies (e.g., constructing protective/sacrificial sites, co-crystallization, and core-shell structures) are also considered beneficial. Beyond durability, we also focus on the two-dimensional PST-9 zeolite and OFF/ERI intergrowths zeolite for the future challenge of diffusion. Finally, we outline future research frontiers, aiming to unify Cu-zeolite theory into a mechanistic framework that translates fundamental insights into rational design principles for next-generation catalysts.

Key words: Cu-zeolites, Ammonia selective catalytic reduction, Reaction mechanism, Hydrothermal stability, Sulfur tolerance