• • The Ce-Co0.025/TiO2-SG catalyst, prepared via sol-gel with Co/Ti mass ratio 0.025, achieved >95% NO conversion in the 225–350 °C range, outperforming impregnation and co-precipitation methods, which is critical for meeting ultra-low emission standards in cement plants.
• • The catalyst exhibited high N2 selectivity, minimizing undesirable N2O byproduct formation, which is essential for environmental compliance and ammonia slip reduction.
• • Characterization revealed abundant surface oxygen vacancies and a high Ce3+ proportion, which enhance redox properties and oxygen mobility, leading to improved low-temperature activity.
• • The catalyst displayed the lowest reduction peak temperature in H2-TPR, indicating excellent reducibility, and a mesoporous structure that increased acidic site exposure, both contributing to its superior performance.