ALTERNATE CATALYST FOR DOC IN A CATALYTIC CONVERTER

Emission norms have become much more stringent to reduce emissions from vehicles. Diesel engines in particular are the predominant contributors to higher emissions. Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) in diesel engine catalytic converter systems is the crucial component in reducing harmful emissions such as Carbon Monoxide (CO) and unburnt Hydrocarbons (HC). DOCs often rely on expensive noble metals like platinum or palladium and rhodium as catalyst materials,significantly inflating the cost of emission control units. The proposed idea is to explore MnOxCeO₂ (Manganese Oxide-Cerium Oxide) as an alternative catalyst to traditional DOC materials, with the goal of delivering effective oxidation performance while reducing overall system cost. MnOx-CeO₂ catalysts are promising due to their good low-temperature activity, oxygen storage capacity, and redox behaviour, which are beneficial for diesel engines operating under varied conditions. These properties help improve the oxidation of CO and HC even during cold starts or lower exhaust temperatures. The catalyst was successfully synthesized and coated onto a honeycomb substrate, and a catalytic converter prototype was fabricated. The performance evaluation showed a moderate yet meaningful improvement in emission reduction, confirming the practical feasibility of this low-cost formulation. Compared to precious metals like platinum orpalladium, MnOx-CeO₂ is more cost-effective, making it viable for scalable production without compromising performance. The work also emphasizes material accessibility and environmental sustainability by utilizing non-noble, abundantly available metal oxides. This approach opens up possibilities for broader application in regions where cost constraints limit the use of conventional After Treatment Systems (ATS). Further refinement in coating techniques and catalyst dispersion could enhance performance and scalability. Thus, the project contributes a meaningful step toward developing more accessible and sustainable emission control technologies for the automotive industry.