Catalyst of the Week

I was curious about catalytic converters in automobiles. This device, the 'catcon,' is situated close to the engine and uses a combination of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh) as catalysts to convert toxic combustion emissions into less toxic substances. In the three-way conversion for gasoline-powered vehicles, Pt and Rh are used as reduction catalysts, reducing nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen. The other two conversions involve oxidation catalysts, Pt and Pd, to oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, and also oxidize unburnt hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. During the conversions, gas molecules 'stick' to the surface of the metals (lots of d-orbitals, very easily forms bonds) and the electrons of the gases get rearranged, resulting in a 90% decrease in the amount of pollution coming out in the exhaust. Yay.