Role of active components of an Ag/Al2O3/cordierite catalyst in selective reduction of NO by ethanol

We show that the activity of silver/aluminum oxide catalysts in selective reduction of nitrogen oxides by ethanol increases as the Al2O3 content increases, and is determined by the optimal silver content for which Ag+ cations and nanoclusters form on the Al2O3 surface. The role of silver in Ag/Al2O3/cordierite is to regulate the redox and acid-base properties of the surface of the catalyst.