Project Title : Analysis of a Novel Platinum Free Catalyst for Use in a Simulated Lean NO x Trap

Strict environmental regulations on air quality coupled with a consumer desire for more efficient engines has forced the automotive industry to start developing more advanced emissions aftertreatment technologies. Of the common diesel exhaust treatment methods for NOx removal, Lean NOx Traps (LNT) have been recognized as the most practical for use in small displacement engines. The current state-of-the-art technique in LNT catalysis employs platinum, a rare fixed natural resource, and at $1,118.50 USD per ounce, platinum is a very expensive catalytic material. The objective of this research is to develop a more cost-effective catalyst to use within LNTs that can perform as well as, if not better than, the platinum-based catalyst for NOx reduction. The perovskite LaCoO3 has shown much promise as a potential replacement for platinum within the LNT catalytic framework. The goal of the proposed research project is to quantitatively compare the NOx storage potential, NOx reduction efficiency, and low temperature conversion rates between a LaCoO3/KaCO3/CeO2 and Pt/KaCO3/CeO2 catalyst in a simulated LNT using real world diesel exhaust gas compositions.