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Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) combining the functions of Pd and Pt-Pd alloys have been used in practice to satisfy the strict exhaust emission regulations that have been specified for passenger cars in recent years. Pd is an indispensable component in DOCs because it exhibits superior oxidation activity for CO and HC. To reduce the amount of precious metal used and to improve robustness, it is important to control the electronic state and gas adsorption characteristics of Pd and PdOx during catalytic reactions.In this study, by investigating the CO adsorption behavior of Pd, it was observed that Pd supported on a CeO2/ZrO2 mixed-oxide material (CZ) showed a preferable CO adsorption state and better CO light-off performance. Pd in Pd/CZ became metallic with increasing reaction time, and the CO oxidation performance of Pd/CZ decreased. This change in activity was correlated with CO adsorption on Pd changing from linear-type to bridge-type adsorption.

A new Pd-Rh three-way catalyst (TWC) for close-coupled (CC) applications was developed to improve low temperature gas activity. In this study the TWC has a layered structure with Pd in the top layer and Rh in the bottom layer. The specific objectives of this study was to compare Ba and La additives to Pd in the top layer. Alumina was used for the Pd support and La or Ba were co-impregnated with Pd. The catalysts were engine aged at 950°C for 200 h and evaluated on a vehicle using the European NEDC test, for CO, HC and NOx performance. After this aging, the Pd-La catalyst showed higher gas performance than the Pd-Ba catalyst, especially in the cold start region. This improvement was correlated to the Pd particle size and the sintering suppression observed upon addition of La. Sintering suppression was also observed upon addition of Ba; however, the mechanism appears to be different from that of La addition.