Precious-metal-free nano catalysts for diesel particulate filters

The regeneration of filters loaded with particulate matter represents a major challenge for the safe operation of exhaust gas aftertreatment in diesel vehicles. The efficiency of existing soot particulate filter systems can be optimised by using new catalytic materials, amongst other measures. A consortium comprising the Universities of Heidelberg and Saarbrucken as well as the companies Evonik-Degussa, Eberspacher and Volkswagen is presenting current research results from the “NanoKat” joint project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) in which selective soot oxidation catalysts were developed for filter use.