Platinum palladium rhodium precious metal catalysts can be used in this way

We can see some news of auto parts being stolen, and the most commonly lost one is the catalytic converter, which is because the catalytic converter contains precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium.According to the International Association for Auto Theft Investigators, these precious metals can fetch anywhere from $50 to $875 on many second-hand markets, definitely a good fortune in ill-gotten wealth.

Introduction of Platinum ,Palladium,Rhodium Precious Metals

Speaking of the preciousness of platinum, palladium and rhodium, there are very few of these six elements. Among them, the content of platinum in the earth's crust is 5 parts per billion, palladium is one part per billion, and rhodium is only one part per billion.

As rare and precious metals, they have the advantages of high melting point, strong corrosion resistance, strong ductility, and chemical stability. They are widely used in organic synthesis, biomedicine, and automobile industries, and are also commonly used in catalysts, surgical instruments, and other materials.

Platinum, palladium, rhodium precious metals are used in catalysts

In the automobile industry, platinum, palladium and rhodium are the key components of the catalytic converter, because the the catalytic converter itself is the external purification device of the automobile, which is composed of three parts: the carrier, the coating and the catalyst. The carrier is usually a ceramic cylinder with a honeycomb structure, and a coating can be used on the porous structure to further increase the surface area, and the platinum, palladium, and rhodium precious metals are the catalysts covered on the carrier.

Platinum, palladium and rhodium precious metals are able to act as catalysts because they enhance the activity of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide gases at elevated temperatures. Among them, platinum and rhodium are mainly responsible for the catalytic reduction reaction, that is, converting nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen; platinum and palladium are mainly responsible for catalytic oxidation reactions, that is, converting hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into water and carbon dioxide.。

The catalytic converter can use the residual oxygen in the exhaust gas and the high temperature of the exhaust gas to create catalytic conditions for platinum, palladium and rhodium precious metals, so that harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides discharged from the engine undergo redox reactions and then converted intoharmless carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen.

Development of Platinum Palladium Rhodium Precious Metals as Catalysts

Catalysts were invented in the middle of the 20th century. At first, platinum was compounded on metal oxides with high specific surface area, and then coated on a porous ceramic carrier, which completed the earliest catalytic converter. prototype. Later, with the introduction of more and more stringent emission regulations, platinum compounding has been unable to make all harmful gases fully undergo redox reactions.

In addition, although they are both precious metals, there are still some differences in thermal stability between platinum and palladium. And the sulfur added to many fuels will poison the catalyst, so the application of palladium and rhodium as catalysts has gradually emerged.

Epilogue

In summary, we know the reason why platinum, palladium and rhodium precious metals have high value, and also deepen the importance of catalytic converters for automobiles, so if you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of catalytic theft, you still have to choose alternative products.  GRWA, which has a reputation as a high-quality automotive exhaust supplier, is your best choice!