Exhaust Gas Catalyst Enclosure Material Prevents Noble Metal Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional exhaust gas purifying catalysts face challenges in preventing the aggregation of noble metal particles at high temperatures, leading to a decrease in catalytic activity and efficiency, especially in manifold catalysts used in higher temperature environments.

Innovation Solution

The catalyst design includes plural catalyst units with noble metal particles and anchor particles supported by an enclosure material containing alkali and alkaline-earth elements, which prevents the movement and aggregation of noble metal particles by forming chemical bonds and maintaining a fine particle state even at temperatures exceeding 900°C.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional exhaust gas purifying catalysts are used in high temperature environments (exceeding 900°C), then the catalyst structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the noble metal particles aggregate and catalytic activity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidoperating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an enclosure material as an intermediary substance that physically separates and encapsulates noble metal particles, preventing their direct contact and aggregation at high temperatures. This mediator maintains particle dispersion without requiring complex surface chemistry modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical state and distribution parameters of noble metal particles by enclosing them within isolation structures. This changes the spatial arrangement from a dispersed surface state to an enclosed particulate state, preventing aggregation while maintaining catalytic functionality at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If noble metal particles are supported on metal oxide without enclosure material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the particles move and aggregate under high temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidparticle dispersion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-enclosing noble metal particles within enclosure materials before the catalyst is deployed in high-temperature environments. This advance protective measure prevents particle aggregation from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to reverse aggregation after it happens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining noble metal particles with an enclosure material matrix. This composite design integrates the catalytic functionality of noble metals with the structural stability and heat resistance of the enclosure material, achieving both ease of manufacture and high-temperature stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design effectively maintains high purification performance by preventing the aggregation of noble metal particles, ensuring sustained catalytic activity and efficiency even under high-temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

preventing the movement and aggregation of noble metal particles by forming chemical bonds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

three-way catalysts as exhaust gas purifying catalysts installed in vehicles and the like to oxidize or reduce harmful gas (hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx)) contained in exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2759340B1Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2759340B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP2759340B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP2759340B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes: plural catalyst units containing anchor particles supporting noble metal particles thereon; and an enclosure material enclosing the plural catalyst units and separating the catalyst units from one another. The anchor particles and the enclosure material both contain at least one of an alkali element and an alkaline-earth element. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst having this configuration can prevent aggregation of the noble metal particles and keep exhaust gas purifying performance even when the use environment temperature is high.