Influence of Ageing Conditions on the Performance and Structure of Commercial Three-Way Catalysts

摘要

The ageing behaviour of engine test bench and road aged commercial three-way catalysts (TWCs) is compared. Their catalytic performances are tested and the findings are correlated to structural investigations. The TWCs were tested on a chassis dynamometer using the New European Driving Cycle and the catalytic activities were determined by measurements of the oxygen storage capacity and the light-off (LO) temperature. Selected catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysing system, nitrogen adsorption (BET) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. A linear increase of the emissions with duration for the HC and CO components and of the LO temperature was observed. A surface area decrease and a growth of Pd particles after ageing could be detected. Also a crystalline BaAl2Si2O8 phase was identified, which can be attributed to a reaction of NO_x storage component with cordierite support material.