Field and interface effects in CO oxidation on noble metals

01.01.2010 - 01.01.2011
Research funding project
Automotive exhaust gas contains high concentrations of NOx, CO, and hydrocarbons, which are harmful to human health. Although these components can be reduced drastically by the use of a three-way catalyst, nitrous oxide, N2O, which has a strong greenhouse effect, is produced during the catalytic reaction. Since catalysts produce unexpected by-products like N2O, not only human health effects but also environmental aspects must be considered in an automotive exhaust emission control strategy. This is even more so in view of the increasing importance of lean burn engines where NOx have to be reduced under net oxidizing conditions. Despite the scientific evidence of climate change, governments in most affluent countries have avoided their responsibility to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The USA is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases worldwide. US emissions have increased to 7 billion tons of CO2 in 2004, 16 % higher than emissions in the late 90's. The UK has done better reducing their emissions to about 0.6 billion tons, 14% below 1990 levels.

People

Project leader

Project personnel

Institute

Grant funds

  • Österr. Akademie der Wissenschaften (National) Austrian Academy of Sciences

Keywords

GermanEnglish
CO OxidationCO oxidation
Feldeffektefield effects

External partner

  • Department of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute of Isotopes

Publications