Method for producing metal exchanged metallo-aluminophosphates by solid-state ion exchange at low temperatures

1. Method for the preparation of a metal exchanged crystalline microporous metalloaluminophosphate or mixtures containing metal exchanged microporous metalloaluminophosphates materials comprising the steps of

providing a dry mixture containing

a) one or more metalloaluminophosphates starting materials that exhibit ion exchange capacity and

b) one or more metal compounds;

heating the mixture in a gaseous atmosphere containing ammonia to a temperature between 100° C. and 250° C. and for a time sufficient to initiate and perform a solid state ion exchange of ions of the metal compound and ions of the crystalline microporous material;

and obtaining the metal-exchanged microporous metalloaluminophosphate material or mixtures containing the metal-exchanged microporous metalloaluminophosphate material.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more metalloaluminophosphate starting materials contain one or more metals chosen from the group silicon, titanium, tin, zinc, magnesium, manganese, cobalt or iron.

3. Method according to claim 1 , where the one or more metalloaluminophosphate starting materials have the framework code of CHA, AEI, AFI, AEL, AST, AFR, AFO and FAU.

4. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more metalloaluminophosphate starting materials are selected from the group consisting of SAPO-34, SAPO-44, SAPO-18, or combinations thereof.

5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more microporous metalloalumino-phosphate starting materials are in the H + or NH 4 + form.

6. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more microporous metalloalumino-phosphates starting materials contain an organic structure directing agent.

7. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more metal compounds in the dry mixture are selected from the group of metal oxides, metal nitrates, metal phosphates, metal sulfates, metal oxalates, metal acetates or combinations thereof.

8. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the metals in the one or more metal compounds are selected from the group of Fe, Co, Cu.

9. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more metal compounds consist of oxides of Fe and/or Cu.

10. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or metal compounds are Cu(I) oxide and/or Cu(II) oxide.

11. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the content of ammonia in the atmosphere is between 1 and 5000 vol ppm.

12. Method according to claim 1 , wherein oxygen is contained in the atmosphere in amount of 10 vol % or lower.

13. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the gaseous atmosphere contains 5 vol % water or less.

14. A metal exchanged microporous metalloaluminophosphate material or mixtures of metal exchanged microporous metalloaluminophosphate materials obtained by a method according to claim 1 .

15. A method for the removal of nitrogen oxides from exhaust gas by selective catalytic reduction with a reductant, comprising contacting the exhaust gas with a catalyst comprising a metal exchanged crystalline microporous metalloaluminophosphate material or mixtures of metal exchanged crystalline microporous metalloaluminophosphate materials obtained by a method according to claim 1 .

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the reductant is ammonia or a precursor thereof.

17. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the reductant comprises hydrocarbons.