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Current work focuses on developing a non-noble metal-based Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) with high efficiency. In this work, 1% and 3% Zr supported on mesoporous CeO2-Al2O3 was prepared. The morphological, structural, and catalytic behavior of the synthesized catalyst was investigated through the BET surface area, SEM-EDX, XRD, and TGA. BET and XRD data revealed the catalyst’s mesoporous nature with a high surface area and low crystallinity. SEM images showed the porous nature of the catalyst’s surface, devoid of any agglomeration or sintering. EDX analysis further confirmed the elemental composition of the catalyst surface. TGA was used to study catalysts’ activity towards soot oxidation in loose contact mode. T50 observed for soot oxidation catalyzed over 1%, and 3% Zr/CeO2-Al2O3 was 263°C and 331°C, while for uncatalyzed soot, it was 400°C. The results conclude that the catalyst significantly enhanced soot oxidation.

Ethanol is considered as a clean and sustainable alternative fuel for spark ignited engines due to its high octane number and lesser contribution towards vehicle exhaust emissions particularly CO and HC emissions. But it adversely affects the fuel economy of a vehicle. Also, it's a known fact that lower viscosity grade engine oil improves the fuel economy of a vehicle. In this paper, role of lower viscosity grade engine oil on fuel economy of vehicle running on different blends of ethanol/gasoline was explored. In light of it an experimental study was conducted initially on a High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) to investigate the lubricity characteristics (friction coefficient and wear) of engine lubricant of different viscosity grade according to the ASTM G133/95 test method followed by a vehicle study on chassis dynamometer to study the emissions and fuel economy of a test vehicle run on gasoline and blends of ethanol/gasoline (E-5 and E-10).