Automobiles platinum

In the finely divided state platinum is an excellent catalyst, having long been used in the contact process for producing sulfuric acid. It is also used as a catalyst in cracking petroleum products. Much interest exists in using platinum as a catalyst in fuel cells and in antipollution devices for automobiles. 

Black nickel oxide is used as an oxygen donor in three-way catalysts containing rhodium, platinum, and palladium (143). Three-way catalysts, used in automobiles, oxidize hydrocarbons and CO, and reduce NO The donor quaUty, ie, the abiUty to provide oxygen for the oxidation, results from the capabihty of nickel oxide to chemisorb oxygen (see Exhaust control, automotive). 

Miscellaneous. Chloroplatinic acid is used in the production of automobile catalysts. Platino-type prints based on reduction of Pt(II) to Pt(0) by a photosensitive reducing agent such as iron(III) oxalate are used in art photography (261,262). Infrared imaging devices based on a platinum siLicide detector have been developed (263). 

Oxidation. Carbon monoxide can be oxidized without a catalyst or at a controlled rate with a catalyst (eq. 4) (26). Carbon monoxide oxidation proceeds explosively if the gases are mixed stoichiometticaHy and then ignited. Surface burning will continue at temperatures above 1173 K, but the reaction is slow below 923 K without a catalyst. HopcaUte, a mixture of manganese and copper oxides, catalyzes carbon monoxide oxidation at room temperature it was used in gas masks during World War I to destroy low levels of carbon monoxide. Catalysts prepared from platinum and palladium are particularly effective for carbon monoxide oxidation at 323 K and at space velocities of 50 to 10, 000 h . Such catalysts are used in catalytic converters on automobiles (27) (see Exhaust CONTHOL, automotive). 

This reaction takes place similarly in automobile exhaust converters, although the metals in these catalysts are platinum and rhodium, among other components, and other reactions occur. 

Two classes of metals have been examined for potential use as catalytic materials for automobile exhaust control. These consist of some of the transitional base metal series, for instance, cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel, manganese, and vanadium and the precious metal series consisting of platinum [7440-06-4], Pt palladium [7440-05-3], Pd rhodium [7440-16-6], Rh iridium, [7439-88-5], Ir and mthenium [7440-18-8], Ru. Specific catalyst activities are shown in Table 3. 

Platinum compounds Hydrosilation cross-linking of silicone polymers Hydrogenation, isomerization and hydroformylation of alkenes Automobile exhaust catalyst Sensitization dermatitis... 

Perhaps the most familiar example of heterogeneous catalysis is the series of reactions that occur in the catalytic converter of an automobile (Figure 11.12). Typically this device contains 1 to 3 g of platinum metal mixed with rhodium. The platinum catalyzes the oxidation of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons such as benzene, C6H6 ... 

Automobile catalytic converter. Catalytic converters contain a "three-way" catalyst designed to convart CO to CO2, unbumed hydrocarbons to CO2 and H2O. and NO to N2. The activa components of the catalysts are the precious metals platinum and rhodium palladium is sometimes used as well. 

The reaction with CO to afford C02 and N20 is particularly interesting in view of the use of platinum metal compounds in automobile cataytic converters. 

The main use of rhodium is with platinum in catalysts for oxidation of automobile exhaust emissions. In the chemical industry, it is used in catalysts for the manufacture of ethanoic acid, in hydroformylation of alkenes and the synthesis of nitric acid from ammonia. Many applications of iridium rely on... 

The main uses of palladium [13] are in the electronics and electrical industries, in circuitry and in dental alloys. It finds many catalytic applications in industry, as well as in diffusion cells for the synthesis of hydrogen, and in automobile catalysts. Jewellery and three way auto-catalysts are the principal uses of platinum, which fulfils a wide range of roles in the chemical industry. 

Serious research in catalytic reduction of automotive exhaust was begun in 1949 by Eugene Houdry, who developed mufflers for fork lift trucks used in confined spaces such as mines and warehouses (18). One of the supports used was the monolith—porcelain rods covered with films of alumina, on which platinum was deposited. California enacted laws in 1959 and 1960 on air quality and motor vehicle emission standards, which would be operative when at least two devices were developed that could meet the requirements. This gave the impetus for a greater effort in automotive catalysis research (19). Catalyst developments and fleet tests involved the partnership of catalyst manufacturers and muffler manufacturers. Three of these teams were certified by the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board in 1964-65 American Cyanamid and Walker, W. R. Grace and Norris-Thermador, and Universal Oil Products and Arvin. At the same time, Detroit announced that engine modifications by lean carburation and secondary air injection enabled them to meet the California standard without the use of catalysts. This then delayed the use of catalysts in automobiles. 

For the noble metals used in oxidation, the loading is about 0.1 oz per car, with calls for a million ounces per year. The current world production rates of platinum, palladium, and rhodium are 1.9, 1.6, and 0.076 million ounces respectively the current U,S. demand for platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium are 0.52, 0.72, 0.045, and 0.017 million ounces respectively (72, 73). The supply problem would double if NO reduction requires an equal amount of noble metal. Pollution conscious Japan has adopted a set of automobile emission rules that are the same as the U.S., and Western Europe may follow this creates a demand for new car catalysts approaching the U.S. total. The bulk of world production and potential new mines are in the Soviet Union and South Africa. The importation of these metals, assuming the current price of platinum at 155/oz and palladium at 78/oz, would pose a balance of payment problem. The recovery of platinum contained in spent catalysts delivered to the door of precious metal refiners should be above 95% the value of platinum in spent catalysts is greater than the value of lead in old batteries, and should provide a sufficient incentive for scavengers. 

Recently, it is reported that Xi02 particles with metal deposition on the surface is more active than pure Ti02 for photocatalytic reactions in aqueous solution because the deposited metal provides reduction sites which in turn increase the efficiency of the transport of photogenerated electrons (e ) in the conduction band to the external sjistem, and decrease the recombination with positive hole (h ) in the balance band of Xi02, i.e., less defects acting as the recombination center[l,2,3]. Xhe catalytic converter contains precious metals, mainly platinum less than 1 wt%, partially, Pd, Re, Rh, etc. on cordierite supporter. Xhus, in this study, solutions leached out from wasted catalytic converter of automobile were used for precious metallization source of the catalyst. Xhe XiOa were prepared with two different methods i.e., hydrothermal method and a sol-gel method. Xhe prepared titanium oxide and commercial P-25 catalyst (Deagussa) were metallized with leached solution from wasted catalytic converter or pure H2PtCl6 solution for modification of photocatalysts. Xhey were characterized by UV-DRS, BEX surface area analyzer, and XRD[4]. 

By far the most important use of the platinum metals is for catalysis. The largest single use is in automobile catalytic converters. Platinum is the principal catalyst, but catalytic converters also contain rhodium and palladium. These elements also catalyze a wide variety of reactions in the chemical and petroleum industry. For example, platinum metal is the catalyst for ammonia oxidation in the production of nitric acid, as described in Pt gauze, 1200 K... 

While the discovery of the catalytic properties of zeolites was driven by the desire to improve industrial prcKessing, the development of emission control catalysts was necessitated by governmental fiat. The first requirement was for 90+% removal of CO and of hydrocarbons, a goal which could not be met by oxidation with base metal oxides. To achieve the required spedfications during automobile operations, it was necessary to develop supported platinum catalysts. Originally the support was alumina in pellet form. Later platinum on cordierite was used in honeycomb form, containing 200-400 square channels per square inch. 

Becker DA (1995) Resolution of discrepant analytical data in the certification of platinum in two automobile catalyst SRMs. Fresenius J Anal Chem 352 224-226. 

Since the early work of Langmuir (1), the chemisorption of carbon monoxide on platinum surfaces has been the subject of numerous investigations. Besides its scientific interest, an understanding of CO chemisorption on Pt is of considerable practical importance for example, the catalytic reaction of CO over noble metals (such as Pt) is an essential part of automobile emission control. 

Catalytic converters are basically smog control devices on newer automobiles. Catalytic converters have an oxidation catalyst that oxidizes CO and hydrocarbons to CO2 and H2O. It may also have a reduction catalyst that reduces NO to N2. The catalysts involved with these processes are generally platinum or palladium metal operating at relatively high temperature. 

Rhodium is one of the six platinum transition elements that include Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt. Of these metals, rhodium has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity. Although a relatively scarce metal, rhodium makes an excellent electroplated surface that is hard, wears well, and is permanently bright— ideal for plating the reflectors in automobile headlights. 

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