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Advances in Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides Lead to Publications and Patent Applications

Professor Jongsik Kim and his research team at the Department of Chemical Engineering have received the Excellence Award at 2024 Industry-Academia Project Challenge, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT). The team collaborated with Hanwha Solutions Co. to develop a high-performance catalyst for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at low temperatures. Graduate student and lead author So Hyeon Park reflected on the project, saying, “It was fascinating to see the theoretical knowledge I gained in courses like catalytic reaction engineering come to life in the lab.”

The research findings were published on December 6, 2024, in the Journal of Hazardous Materials (IF=12.2) under the title, “Centrality of phosphate binding modes on metal vanadate in exploiting low-temperature NOX reduction and pyrosulfate dissociation pathways.” The team has also filed for a patent. Hanwha Solutions, a key industrial partner driving demand for this technology, has expressed interest in securing high-value carbon-neutral solutions to chemically remove nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the exhaust gases emitted by the flagship product lines of its group affiliates, including ships, displays, precision machinery, and engines, at low temperatures.

Professor Kim’s team developed a catalyst tailored to the requirements of Hanwha Solutions, specifically designed to achieve high activity in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at low temperatures. Compared to existing commercial catalysts, the newly developed catalyst demonstrated exceptional performance under harsh reaction conditions, superior resistance to poisoning, enhanced durability, and lower production costs—significantly increasing its potential for commercialization.

Student Park elaborated: “We developed a scalable synthesis method for a catalyst that incorporates low-cost transition metals and optimizes the immobilization sites of phosphate groups (PO₄³⁻) on a finely controlled active surface.” The team’s innovative approach utilized toxic exhaust gas components, such as phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), as mediators for catalyst activation, earning praise for its originality and efficiency.

Reflecting on her experience, Student Park emphasized how the project bridged academic research with real-world applications: “I learned that while lab-scale and pilot-scale research differ in some ways, they are closely interconnected and mutually reinforcing. This project taught me how to bridge the gap between theory and industrial needs and assess the skills required to thrive in practical research settings.”

Professor Kim’s team plans to continue collaborating with Hanwha Solutions to further enhance the practicality and scalability of the catalyst technology. Over the past year, the team has achieved significant results, including nine domestic and international patent filings for high-performance environmental catalysts and the publication of three papers in journals with impact factors above 10. “Our research, born out of industry-academia collaboration, aims to contribute to carbon neutrality through innovative catalytic solutions while adding value to the chemical industry,” said Professor Kim. This study was supported by KIAT’s Functional Inorganic-Organic Composite Materials Commercialization Program and the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Brain Korea 21 FOUR project.