New Strategies for the Improvement of Automobile Catalysts

Abstract

This paper provides a review of recently obtained spectroscopic results, ab-initio calculations and catalytic activity tests from the authors´ laboratory of factors affecting the performance of materials used as automobile catalysts. Issues addressed include the preparation of (Ce,Zr)Ox/Al2O3 (CZA) mixed oxide supports and the use of new active metals, such as Pd and Cu, for three-way catalysts (TWCs); the performance of non-noble transition metals, such as Co or Ag, for pollution control under lean conditions; and the use of Pt/BaOx/Al2O3 (PtBa) for engine exhaust gas treatment under oscillating lean-stoichiometric conditions.

Keywords

• Automobile catalysts
• Depollution technologies
• TWCs
• Stoichiometric
• Lean and Oscillating engines