Low Cost, Ceria Promoted Perovskite Type Catalysts for Diesel Soot Oxidation

Perovskite type catalysts with SrCoO₃ and Sr_0.8Ce_0.2CoO₃ compositions have been prepared by co-precipitation and other methods and, their catalytic activity towards diesel particulate matter (PM)/carbon oxidation has been evaluated under the loose contact condition. These catalysts show excellent catalytic activity for PM/carbon oxidation, despite their low surface area and under the loose contact condition. The synergistic effects of Ce incorporation in perovskite and presence of a small amount of potassium appears to be responsible for the high soot oxidation activity of these perovskite type materials. The Ce incorporation seems to be contributing by enhancing the redox property of the catalyst, while it appears unlikely that potassium is contributing by improving the catalyst–soot contact through its volatization. The catalysts show excellent thermal stability and stable activity under repeated cycles of use.