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To realize the high performance of the three-way catalyst, this development focused on the heat resistance of the CeO2-ZrO2 solid solution (CZ) that possesses the oxygen storage capacity (OSC). A new concept of the OSC compound with high durability is proposed. We devised a new method of inhibiting the coagulation of the primary CZ particles by placing diffusion barrier layers made of alumina among the primary CZ particles. This material is called “ACZ”. The specific surface area of ACZ was larger than that of the conventional CZ after durability test. The sintering of Pt on the ACZ-added catalyst is inhibited and the crystal size of CZ in the ACZ-added catalyst is smaller than that in the CZ-added catalyst. The OSC and the light off temperature of the ACZ-added catalyst are improved.

In order to further improve the performance of NOx storage-reduction catalysts (NSR catalysts), focus was placed on their high temperature performance deterioration via sulfur poisoning and heat deterioration. The reactions between the basicity or acidity of supports and the storage element, potassium, were analyzed. It was determined that the high temperature performance of NSR catalysts is enhanced by the interaction between potassium and zirconia, which is a basic metal oxide. Also, a new zirconia-titania complex metal oxides was developed to improve high temperature performance and to promote the desorption of sulfur from the supports after aging.

A new 3-way catalyst with NOx conversion performance for lean-burn engines has been developed. The catalyst oxidizes NOx and stores the resulting nitrate, which is then reduced by HC and CO during engine operation around the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio. Both the composition of the storage component and the particle sizes of the noble metal were optimized. In addition, a special air fuel mixture control has been developed to make the best of the NOx storage-reduction function. The present catalyst showed 90% conversion efficiency and improved fuel economy by 4% in the Japanese 10-15 mode test cycle. The efficiency remained at 60% or more after durability test.

Automotive catalysts with a good thermal durability have been developed by modifying the composition of additives. The stability of alumina supports against the loss of the surface area depends on the ionic radius and amount of additives. Some lanthanides and alkaline earthes with large ionic radii of 0.11-0. 15nm are most effective. Among these elements, lanthanum improves not only the alumina stability but the catalytic activities of rhodium and cerium oxide. Infrared spectroscopic studies show that lanthanum oxide affects NO adsorbed on Rh to improve the activity for NO reduction. Moreover, lanthanum forms the complex oxide with cerium to improve the activity of cerium oxide. CO pulse reactions on the complex oxide (Ce, La)O2 -x have proved that the oxygen defect in the lattice promotes the diffusion of oxygen atoms to improve the oxide activity.

The deactivation process of automotive catalysts by lead and phosphoruos were studied. The accelerated poisoning test were performed. The activity evaluation and characterisation of poisoned pellet oxidation catalysts showed the following origin of poisoning deactivations. Lead interacts with active materials and phosphorus covers over catalysts to reduce these catalytic performance. In the case of phosphorus and lead co-existence, the activity decreases rapidly because leadphosphate plugges pores of the support. In monolithic catalysts, highly axial distributions of poisons was obserbed. This characteristic distribution is advantageous for the durability of the catalyst.