LaFePdO 3 perovskite automotive catalyst having a self-regenerative function

Abstract

An automotive gasoline engine is operated close to the stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio to convert the pollutant emissions simultaneously, accompanying with redox (reduction and oxidation) fluctuations in exhaust-gas composition through adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio. An innovative LaFe 0.95Pd 0.05O 3 perovskite catalyst, named ‘the intelligent catalyst’, has been developed, and which has a new self-regenerative function of the precious metal in the inherent fluctuations of automotive exhaust-gas. The LaFe 0.95Pd 0.05O 3 perovskite catalyst, La located at the A-site, was prepared by the alkoxide method. Pd located at the B-site of the perovskite lattice in the oxidative atmosphere, and segregated out to form small metallic particles in the reductive atmosphere. The catalyst retained a predominantly perovskite structure throughout a redox cycle of the exhaust-gas, while the local structure around Pd could be changed in a completely reversible manner. The agglomeration and growth of Pd particles is suppressed, even under the severe environment, as a result of the movement between inside and outside the perovskite lattice. It is revealed that the self-regenerative function of Pd occurs even at 200 °C, unexpectedly low temperature, in the LaFe 0.95Pd 0.05O 3 catalyst. Since the high catalytic activity is maintained, the great reduction of Pd loading has been achieved. The intelligent catalyst is expected as a new application of the rare earth, and then the technology is expected in the same way in the global standard of the catalyst designing.