Chemistry is everywhere. Even where you don't expect it. With the 'chemistry =' poster campaign we want to show how self-explanatory chemistry actually is. Want to know more about the chemistry involved? Scroll down for additional information.
A catalyst is a substance which speeds up or slows down the rate of a chemical reaction. There are homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous catalysts. A homogeneous catalyst forms part of the reactor. A heterogeneous catalyst is separately brought in contact with the reactor.
Ceramic monolith
The three-way catalytic converter that’s used in cars to purify exhaust fumes is a heterogeneous catalyst. The exhaust gases pass through a ceramic monolith whose fine channels are covered with a thin layer of aluminium oxide to which a noble metal such as platinum, rhodium or palladium has been applied.
Oxidizing
The noble metals ensure that any uncombusted fuel and undesirable products, such as carbon monoxide, oxidize into carbon dioxide at temperatures between 300° and 850° C. And they convert nitrogen oxides into ordinary nitrogen and water. That’s better for the environment. That’s the low-down on catalytic converters!
