Catalytic Oxidation Process in Automotive Emission Control

The catalytic oxidation process is central to the abatement of harmful pollutants emitted by internal-combustion engines. Modern oxidation catalysts convert carbon monoxide (CO), unburnt hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds into less harmful carbon dioxide and water by employing precious metals such as platinum and palladium dispersed on high-surface-area oxide supports. Key performance indicators include the light-off temperature at which 50 % conversion is achieved and the oxygen storage capacity that buffers stoichiometric fluctuations during transient engine operation. Catalyst design has evolved from simple monometallic formulations to bimetallic and single-atom architectures, aimed at lowering operating temperatures, enhancing resistance to sulphur and phosphorus poisoning, and improving hydrothermal stability under prolonged exhaust exposure. Advances in support materials—particularly ceria-zirconia mixed oxides and mesoporous titania nanowires—have provided enhanced oxygen mobility, stabilised active sites and facilitated low-temperature activity. Collectively, these developments underpin regulatory compliance worldwide, contributing to substantial reductions in roadside pollution, improved air quality and alignment with increasingly stringent Euro and US emission standards.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the remarkable potential of single-atom catalysts for diesel oxidation. One seminal work reports platinum ions isolated on mesoporous rutile titania nanowire arrays grown inside full-scale cordierite monoliths. This architecture achieves 90 % conversion of CO and light hydrocarbons at temperatures near 160 °C while using one-fifth of the precious-metal loading of conventional catalysts. The strong bonding of Pt ions at titania vacancy sites confers exceptional resistance to hydrothermal ageing and sulphation, paving the way for durable, low-temperature exhaust treatment.

Catalytic Oxidation Process in Automotive Emission Control publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in catalytic oxidation process in automotive emission control across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Light-off temperature: The catalyst temperature at which 50 % conversion of a target pollutant is achieved under standard feed conditions.

Oxygen storage capacity (OSC): The ability of a catalyst support, typically ceria-based, to reversibly store and release oxygen during lean–rich cycling.

Single-atom catalyst (SAC): A catalytic system in which individual metal atoms are isolated and stabilised on a support, maximising atom efficiency and activity.

Phosphorus poisoning: Deactivation of a catalyst by deposition of phosphorus species that block active sites or alter support properties.

Bimetallic catalyst: A catalyst composed of two different metal elements whose interaction can enhance activity, selectivity or resistance to deactivation.

References

1. Role of the supports during phosphorus poisoning of diesel oxidation catalysts. Chemical Engineering Journal (2023).
2. Activating low-temperature diesel oxidation by single-atom Pt on TiO2 nanowire array. Nature Communications (2020).
3. The role of Pd–Pt Interactions in the Oxidation and Sulfur Resistance of Bimetallic Pd–Pt/γ-Al2O3 Diesel Oxidation Catalysts. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2021).
4. Doping Manganese Oxides with Ceria and Ceria Zirconia Using a One-Pot Sol–Gel Method for Low Temperature Diesel Oxidation Catalysts. Topics in Catalysis (2020).