Measures to Reduce the N2O Formation at Perovskite-Based Lean NOx Trap Catalysts under Lean Conditions

The net oxidising atmosphere of lean burn engines requires a special after-treatment catalyst for NOx removal from the exhaust gas. Lean NOx traps (LNT) are such kind of catalysts. To increase the efficiency of LNTs at low temperatures platinised perovskite-based infiltration composites La0.5Sr0.5Fe1-xMxO3-δ/Al2O3 with M = Nb, Ti, Zr have been developed. In general, platinum based LNT catalysts show an undesired, hazardous formation of N2O in the lean operation mode due to a competing C3H6-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) at the platinum sites. To reduce N2O emissions an additional Rh-coating, obtained by incipient wetness impregnation, besides the Pt coating and a two-layered oxidation catalyst (2 wt.% Pd/20 wt.% CeO2/alumina)-LNT constitution, has been investigated. Though the combined Rh-Pt coating shows a slightly increased NOx storage capacity (NSC) at temperatures above 300 °C, it does not decrease N2O formation. The layered oxidation catalyst-LNT system shows a decrease in N2O formation of up to 60% at 200 °C, increasing the maximum NSC up to 176 µmol/g. Furthermore, the NSC temperature range is broadened compared to that of the pure LNT catalyst, now covering a range of 250–300 °C.