Structural characterization of automotive catalysts

Scarcely any other technology is of such a global interest due to economical and ecological reasons like automotive catalysis, and world wide efforts are exerted to improve and optimize automotive emission control systems enclosing new engine concepts, better fuel quality, and novel exhaust catalysts. Especially the continuous improvement of the exhaust catalysts over the last 30 years brought major advances in saving ressources and fulfilling present and future emission directives. This paper deals with current developments in automotive exhaust catalysts. After an introductorily overview, the principles of spark ignition engines and diesel engines will be described, followed by selected fields of recent research of our and others groups. The focus is brought upon Pd-only catalysts and new oxygen storage systems for three-way catalysis, as well as on new concepts and characteristics of diesel oxidation catalysts based on platinum and palladium.