New catalyst for modern engines starts working at lower temperatures

Catalytic converters need heat to help them clean exhaust fumes, but efficient modern engines don’t produce as much of it.

American researchers have developed a new catalyst that can work at reducing pollutants at the lower operating temperatures of advanced engines.

The scientists, from Washington State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of New Mexico, created a catalyst that starts working before the engine reaches 150C – more than 100deg less than current systems. It can also endure temperatures of up to 750C.

The research, which was published in the journal Science, describes a novel method for trapping and stabilising individual platinum atoms on the surface of cerium oxide, a substance commonly used in emissions control.

This single-atom catalyst enables more efficient use of expensive platinum, and allows it to remain stable at high temperatures. “We were able to meet the challenges of both the high-temperature stability and the low-temperature activity,” said Yong Wang of Washington State University, a lead author on the research.

Nick Molden, the founder & CEO of Emissions Analytics who was not involved in the research told Professional Engineering that effective operation at low exhaust temperatures was a "genuine" problem, and that there was value in reducing the use of platinum, but that more test data was needed.