Abstract
The durability of automotive catalysts for European applications were investigated as a function of higher temperatures encountered in autobahn driving over extended periods of time, potentially higher lead levels anticipated in the beginning in European unleaded fuels and occasional misfuelling with leaded fuels. Increasing residual lead levels from 3 mg Pb/L to 10 mg Pb/L in laboratory experiments at 1000°C peak temperature substantially decreased three-way catalyst (TWC) performance. Higher temperature ageing conditions from 730 to 1000°C resulted in 50 per cent loss of BET area and increased stoichiometric light-off temperatures.
The paper also reviews briefly the role of noble metals, rare earth oxides and base metal oxides in the formulation of practical TWCs. The operation of a TWC and the effects of A/F modulation frequency and amplitude on its performance are also discussed.
Important thermal and chemical modes of TWC deactivation are discussed with specific examples. The importance of matching the active metal component to the support material to achieve the desired metal-support interactions and how this understanding has led to the development of practical TWC with proper utilization of noble metals is emphasized.
Finally, the lean-burn versus stoichiometric combustion approach as it relates to catalyst requirements is also discussed.
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