IUPAC

The catalytic automobile exhaust converter has become a ubiquitous, if expensive, feature of automobiles in the western nations. The expense of the catalyst is an issue as auto manufacturers strive to keep costs to the consumer down. Environmentalists also have concerns as the number of catalysts in operation rises dramatically, raising concerns about health and environmental effects. The IMEP -11 on Auto Catalysts will allow laboratories to achieve a degree of accuracy and traceability not presently available. The catalysts in the USA and Europe are physically different. Thus the present study, focussed on European catalysts, does not repeat prior efforts by NIST in the USA. As the issues involve more than a single interest, it is unlikely that another organization would emerge to organize a similar study.

Project Completed
Two elements were certified (Pt, Zr) and two elements (Rh, Ce) were assigned by the certifying laboratories. The participants programme was completed in 1999. A participants report was issued in 1999 by IRMM (A. Held, et al., April 1999, EUR 18735 EN). Additional publications are in preparation.

This project was presented at a poster session at the IUPAC Congress/GA July 2001
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