Catalyst Researchers Test Cheaper, More Efficient Option to Platinum

The U.S. Dept. of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tenn., is developing a new three-part mixed-oxide catalyst to replace pricey platinum group metals in exhaust aftertreatment systems.

Researchers detailed the approach in the current issue of the scientific journal Angewandte Chemie (German for applied chemistry), which is published by the German Chemical Society.

The Oak Ridge team notes that traditional platinum catalysts are becoming less effective as increased engine efficiency lowers exhaust temperatures. In lab tests involving simulated exhaust streams, the new blend of copper oxide, cobalt oxide and ceria performed better than synthesized and commercial platinum group metal catalysts. Results also showed no degradation from other pollutants at temperatures below 392 F.

The Oak Ridge team varied the mix of the three catalyst components to determine the best ratio, which they found to be 1:5:5 for copper oxide, cobalt oxide and ceria, respectively. The next step is to evaluate manufacturing scalability and conduct a cost-benefit analysis.