Catalytic Converters

Edexcel AS-level ChemistryAlkanesLesson 8 of 14

A catalytic converter is fitted to a vehicle exhaust to change the most harmful pollutants into less harmful gases.

It contains a ceramic honeycomb coated with a thin layer of precious metals, usually platinum, palladium and rhodium. The honeycomb gives a very large surface area, so only a small mass of expensive metal is needed.

The metals are heterogeneous catalysts: they are solids, while the reactants are gases. Gas molecules are adsorbed onto the metal surface, bonds weaken and react, and the products are desorbed.

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Catalytic Converters

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