Never miss an update from Universidad de Cádiz
Create your free account to connect with Universidad de Cádiz and thousands of other innovative organizations and professionals worldwide
Since the 1990's, the mixed oxides of cerium and zirconium have replaced cerium oxide in the composition of the three-way catalyzers used in the automotive industry. The fundamental reason for this is the improved textural behaviour of the oxides of Ce/Zr, compared with the effectiveness of cerium oxide. These mixed oxides are also more effective in the exchange of oxygen with the medium. The Oxygen Storage Capacity (OSC) of the compound is therefore the key property for its application as a component in catalyzers. However, the rare earth metals which are the critical component of these catalyzers have currently increased considerably in price, due to greater demand and limited supply from the few exporting countries.
The research group working in this field has been able to obtain nanostructured oxides of Ce/Zr and Ce/Zr/Y with low content in Ce that present very good oxygen storage properties. In addition, costly noble metals are not employed in their formulation, which represents an important economic advantage.
Description of the technology
The research group working on the “Structure and chemistry of nanomaterials” has developed a new catalyzer that does not contain noble metals in its formulation, has a low content in lanthanides and presents good oxygen storage properties. These catalyzers will be of great interest for the purification of the exhaust gases of combustion engines, and in the catalysis of any reaction in which the activation of hydrogen molecules is required.
Specifications
These novel materials consist of systems in layers that have been prepared by depositing cerium oxide either onto oxide of zirconium alone or else doped with yttrium. A series of chemical-thermal treatments are subsequently applied to these systems, which gives them a high oxygen storage capacity at low temperature. Since they are able to operate efficiently at temperatures ranging from 150 to 500 ºC, their principal potential application is as three-way catalyzers: current commercial catalyzers only operate at temperatures of around 500 ºC. This represents a new additional advantage since, by working at lower temperatures, the serious problem of the sinterization of the catalyzer is avoided, and therefore the stability of the material increases. Equally promising, these catalyzers are applicable in any other reaction in which activation of the molecules of hydrogen is required. This activation is catalyzed at relatively low temperatures and therefore with a lower energy cost.
Main advantages of its use
Applications
The university of Cadiz is a state university with 4 campuses and more than 2,000 lecturers. It is located at South Spain and it is one of the nine state universities in Andalusia, Spain. We have in our portfolio more than 100 patents for licensing, looking for potential investors.
Create your free account to connect with Universidad de Cádiz and thousands of other innovative organizations and professionals worldwide
Send a request for information
to Universidad de Cádiz
Technology Offers on Innoget are directly posted
and managed by its members as well as evaluation of requests for information. Innoget is the trusted open innovation and science network aimed at directly connect industry needs with professionals online.
Need help requesting additional information or have questions regarding this Technology Offer?
Contact Innoget support