Development of iron based oxidation catalysts for the after-treatment of diesel exhaust gases

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The intended research addresses the targeted development of novel iron oxide catalysts for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in diesel exhaust. The technical aim is the substitution of the precious metals present in diesel oxidation catalysts, which suffer from increasing costs associated with limited natural abundance of the raw materials. The project is a joint cooperation of Prof. Kureti (Freiberg), Prof. Bauer (Paderborn) and Umicore company (Hanau).Based on results of previous research project of Prof. Kureti novel iron oxide catalysts with high load of highly active isolated iron oxo species are designed by following a knowledge-based approach. Promising catalysts are industrially up-scaled and evaluated under relevant test conditions at Umicore company. In addition to this transfer of knowledge from academic research to industrial development, the project also deals with the fundamentals of the oxidation of CO. This basic research implies the development of analytical tools for the detailed characterisation of isolated iron oxo sites with focus on synchroton-based methods, mechanistic and kinetic studies as well as elementary kinetic mean field modelling. These studies include a well-defined model catalyst with isolated iron oxo species as well as the best catalyst obtained from the development process. The kinetic model constructed aims to provide molecular insights into the CO oxidation and is also used for the design of the prototype catalyst produced and finally tested in real diesel exhaust by Umicore.