Full spectrum driven SCR removal of NO over hierarchical CeVO/attapulgite nanocomposite with high resistance to SO and HO.

Removal of hazardous NO at low temperature via photo-assisted selective catalytic reduction (photo-SCR) strategy is promising, however fully harvesting of solar energy and achieving high SO/HO tolerance still remain a challenge. Herein, the phosphoric acid modified natural attapulgite(P-ATP) was employed as a matrix to immobilize CeVO by microwave hydrothermal method. Results show that P-ATP provides abundant active sites facilitating the in situ grow of CeVO nanorods on its surface which hierarchically construct a dendritic-like photocatalyst. The near-infrared (NIR) light is upconverted to visible and UV light through CeVO which not only broaden the absorption range of solar light, but also build Z-scheme heterostructure with P-ATP enhancing the redox potential of charge carriers. The CeVO/P-ATP nanocomposite can reach as high as 92 % for NO conversion under full-spectrum solar irradiation, while retaining nearly 60 % conversion under NIR light. Moreover, the catalyst exhibits outstanding tolerance with SO and HO due to the presence of Ce species which can prevent NH from being sulfated, while ATP prevent catalyst from being corroded by HO. This work may open up a new window for full-spectrum driven SCR of NO based on cost-effective mineral catalyst.