Mazda Introduces Single-Nanocatalyst Technology

Mazda will introduce single-catalyst technology in its 2010 Mazda3. Why is this significant? As is true with nanotechology, if something can be built on a considerably smaller scale, it means you need less of a resource to construct it - such as platinum, an integral "piece" to modern-day catalyst converters.

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Mazda announced that it will be the first to use singlenanocatalyst technology in automobile catalytic converters. This highly durable new catalyst significantly reduces the amount of precious metals used and effectively purifies vehicle exhaust gases.

The idea here is with the single-nanocatalyst, the under-floor catalytic converter in the Mazda3 requires only 0.15g/L of precious metals, which is approximately 70 percent less than the 0.55g/L required in the previous model. Even with the substantial reduction in precious metal usage, the 2010 Mazda3 meets the latest emissions regulations.

The way catalysts work starts with their design, consisting of a base material coated with precious metal particles, such as platinum, rhodium and palladium.

In conventional catalysts, exposure to hot exhaust gases causes the precious metal particles to agglomerate into larger clumps, which reduces their effective surface area and catalytic activity. To counteract this, an increased amount of the precious metals is required to maintain an efficient purification performance.

Mazda uses nanoparticles of the precious metals instead of larger particles, so less metal is needed to produce the same surface area over the ceramic base of the catalyst.

In addition, the life of the new converters is expected to be significantly longer, so even as your new Mazda3 gets older, you won't have to worry as much about passing the dreaded smog test.

- Brewskie