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Showing papers on "Platinum published in 2008"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Density functional theory studies suggest that the enhanced catalytic activity for the core-shell nanoparticle originates from a combination of an increased availability of CO-free Pt surface sites on the Ru@Pt nanoparticles and a hydrogen-mediated low-temperature CO oxidation process that is clearly distinct from the traditional bifunctional CO oxidation mechanism.
Abstract: Most of the world’s hydrogen supply is currently obtained by reforming hydrocarbons. ‘Reformate’ hydrogen contains significant quantities of CO that poison current hydrogen fuel-cell devices. Catalysts are needed to remove CO from hydrogen through selective oxidation. Here, we report first-principles-guided synthesis of a nanoparticle catalyst comprising a Ru core covered with an approximately 1–2-monolayer-thick shell of Pt atoms. The distinct catalytic properties of these well-characterized core–shell nanoparticles were demonstrated for preferential CO oxidation in hydrogen feeds and subsequent hydrogen light-off. For H2 streams containing 1,000 p.p.m. CO, H2 light-off is complete by 30 ∘C, which is significantly better than for traditional PtRu nano-alloys (85 ∘C), monometallic mixtures of nanoparticles (93 ∘C) and pure Pt particles (170 ∘C). Density functional theory studies suggest that the enhanced catalytic activity for the core–shell nanoparticle originates from a combination of an increased availability of CO-free Pt surface sites on the Ru@Pt nanoparticles and a hydrogen-mediated low-temperature CO oxidation process that is clearly distinct from the traditional bifunctional CO oxidation mechanism. To produce hydrogen by reforming hydrocarbons, efficient catalysts capable of removing carbon monoxide are needed. This can now be achieved via a preferential oxidation mechanism using nanoparticle catalysts consisting of a ruthenium core covered with platinum.

1,111 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors scrutinize the thin-film rotating disc electrode (TF-RDE) method for investigating the electrocatalytic activity of high surface area catalysts.

887 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Tungsten oxide loaded with nanoparticulate platinum is demonstrated to exhibit high activity for the decomposition of organic compounds both in liquid and gas phases.
Abstract: Tungsten oxide loaded with nanoparticulate platinum is demonstrated to exhibit high activity for the decomposition of organic compounds both in liquid and gas phases; the activity was almost comparable to that of TiO2 under UV light irradiation and much higher than that of nitrogen-doped TiO2 under visible irradiation.

707 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an extremely simple green approach that generates bulk quantities of nanocrystals of noble metals such as silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd) using coffee and tea extract at room temperature is described.

608 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an overview of some of the strategies for maximising the luminescence efficiencies of simple square-planar platinum(II) complexes in solution, including the introduction of strong-field co-ligands into di- and tri-imine complexes, involvement of intraligand charge-transfer excited states, and cyclometallation.

493 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Aug 2008-Science
TL;DR: An air electrode based on a porous material coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), which acts as an O2 reduction catalyst is described, which was demonstrated without material degradation or deterioration in performance.
Abstract: The air electrode, which reduces oxygen (O2), is a critical component in energy generation and storage applications such as fuel cells and metal/air batteries. The highest current densities are achieved with platinum (Pt), but in addition to its cost and scarcity, Pt particles in composite electrodes tend to be inactivated by contact with carbon monoxide (CO) or by agglomeration. We describe an air electrode based on a porous material coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), which acts as an O2 reduction catalyst. Continuous operation for 1500 hours was demonstrated without material degradation or deterioration in performance. O2 conversion rates were comparable with those of Pt-catalyzed electrodes of the same geometry, and the electrode was not sensitive to CO. Operation was demonstrated as an air electrode and as a dissolved O2 electrode in aqueous solution.

464 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The quantitative analysis of the different surface sites on platinum samples is attempted from pure voltammetric data, and it is shown that irreversibly-adsorbed bismuth and tellurium have been revealed to be sensitive to the presence of (111) terrace domains of different width whereas almost all sites involved in (100) ordered domains have been characterized through germanium adatoms.
Abstract: The quantitative analysis of the different surface sites on platinum samples is attempted from pure voltammetric data. This analysis requires independent knowledge of the fraction of two-dimensional (111) and (100) domains. Specific site-probe reactions are employed to achieve this goal. Irreversibly-adsorbed bismuth and tellurium have been revealed to be sensitive to the presence of (111) terrace domains of different width whereas almost all sites involved in (100) ordered domains have been characterized through germanium adatoms. The experimental protocol follows that used with well-defined single-crystal electrodes and, therefore, requires careful control of the surface cleanliness. Platinum basal planes and their vicinal stepped surfaces have been employed to obtain calibration plots between the charge density measured under the adatom redox peak, specific for the type of surface site, and the corresponding terrace size. The evaluation of the (100) bidimensional domains can also be achieved using the voltammetric profiles, once the fraction of (111) ordered domains present in the polyoriented platinum has been determined and their featureless contribution has been subtracted from the whole voltammetric response. Using that curve, it is possible to perform a deconvolution of the adsorption states of the polycrystalline sample different from those related to (111) domains. The fraction of (100)-related states in the deconvoluted voltammogram can then be compared to that expected from the independent estimation coming from the charge involved in the redox process undergone by the irreversibly-adsorbed germanium and thus check the result of the deconvolution. The information about the surface-site distribution can also be applied to analyze the voltammetric profile of nanocrystalline platinum electrodes.

337 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A highly efficient platinum(II) luminophore is rendered liquid crystalline using a simple and flexible synthetic approach that allows monomer emission when the characteristic for the material is exciplex-like emission.
Abstract: Liquid crystals shining bright. A highly efficient platinum(II) luminophore is rendered liquid crystalline using a simple and flexible synthetic approach. Ordering in the liquid-crystalline state allows monomer emission when the characteristic for the material is exciplex-like emission. More than that, emission characteristics are subject to tribological control, with the initial state re-obtained by thermal cycling.

272 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The catalytic activity of Pt@ MOF-177 towards the solvent- and base-free room temperature oxidation of alcohols in air has been tested and shows Pt@MOF- 177 to be an efficient catalyst in the oxidation ofcohols.
Abstract: The gas-phase loading of [Zn(4)O(btb)(2)](8) (MOF-177; H(3)btb=1,3,5-benzenetribenzoic acid) with the volatile platinum precursor [Me(3)PtCp'] (Cp'=methylcyclopentadienyl) was confirmed by solid state (13)C magic angle spinning (MAS)-NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent reduction of the inclusion compound [Me(3)PtCp'](4)@MOF-177 by hydrogen at 100 bar and 100 degrees C for 24 h was carried out and gave rise to the formation of platinum nanoparticles in a size regime of 2-5 nm embedded in the unchanged MOF-177 host lattice as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The room-temperature hydrogen adsorption of Pt@MOF-177 has been followed in a gravimetric fashion (magnetic suspension balance) and shows almost 2.5 wt % in the first cycle, but is decreased down to 0.5 wt % in consecutive cycles. The catalytic activity of Pt@MOF-177 towards the solvent- and base-free room temperature oxidation of alcohols in air has been tested and shows Pt@MOF-177 to be an efficient catalyst in the oxidation of alcohols.

265 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that niobium-oxide (NbO(2)) nanoparticles can be adequate supports for Pt and facilitate further reducing the noble metal content in electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Abstract: We demonstrate a new approach to synthesizing high-activity electrocatalysts for the O2reduction reaction with ultra low Pt content. The synthesis involves placing a small amount of Pt, the equivalent of a monolayer, on carbon-supported niobium oxide nanoparticles (NbO2 or Nb2O5). Rotating disk electrode measurements show that the Pt/NbO2/C electrocatalyst has three times higher Pt mass activity for the O2reduction reaction than a commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. The observed high activity of the Pt deposit is attributed to the reduced OH adsorption caused by lateral repulsion between PtOH and oxide surface species. The new electrocatalyst also exhibits improved stability against Pt dissolution under a potential cycling regime (30 000 cycles from 0.6 V to 1.1 V). These findings demonstrate that niobium-oxide (NbO2) nanoparticles can be adequate supports for Pt and facilitate further reducing the noble metal content in electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the catalytic activity of the SBA-15 supported polyaminoamide (PAMAMAM) dendrimer was studied with ethylene hydrogenation at 273 and 293 K in 10 torr of ethylene and 100 torr H2 after reduction.
Abstract: Monodisperse rhodium (Rh) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles as small as ∼1 nm were synthesized within a fourth generation polyaminoamide (PAMAM) dendrimer, a hyperbranched polymer, in aqueous solution and immobilized by depositing onto a high-surface-area SBA-15 mesoporous support. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the as-synthesized Rh and Pt nanoparticles were mostly oxidized. Catalytic activity of the SBA-15 supported Rh and Pt nanoparticles was studied with ethylene hydrogenation at 273 and 293 K in 10 torr of ethylene and 100 torr of H2 after reduction (76 torr of H2 mixed with 690 torr of He) at different temperatures. Catalysts were active without removing the dendrimer capping but reached their highest activity after hydrogen reduction at a moderate temperature (423 K). When treated at a higher temperature (473, 573, and 673 K) in hydrogen, catalytic activity decreased. By using the same treatment that led to maximum ethylene hydrogenation activity, catalytic activity was also evaluate...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors look for alternatives for fuel cells using precious metal catalysts, such as platinum, which is a major barrier towards their commercial viability in a hydrogen-powered future.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented an overview of platinum-based catalysts as methanol-resistant oxygen reduction materials for direct DMFCs and proposed Pt alloyed with first-row transition elements as cathode material.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that the selectivity of the reaction may be controlled by using supported catalysts with appropriate metal particle shapes.
Abstract: Colloidal and sol-gel procedures have been used to prepare heterogeneous catalysts consisting of platinum metal particles with narrow size distributions and well defined shapes dispersed on high-surface-area silica supports. The overall procedure was developed in three stages. First, tetrahedral and cubic colloidal metal particles were prepared in solution by using a procedure derived from that reported by El-Sayed and coworkers [Ahmadi TS, Wang ZL, Green TC, Henglein A, El-Sayed MA (1996) Science 272:1924–1926]. This method allowed size and shape to be controlled independently. Next, the colloidal particles were dispersed onto high-surface-area solids. Three approaches were attempted: (i) in situ reduction of the colloidal mixture in the presence of the support, (ii) in situ sol-gel synthesis of the support in the presence of the colloidal particles, and (iii) direct impregnation of the particles onto the support. Finally, the resulting catalysts were activated and tested for the promotion of carbon–carbon double-bond cis-trans isomerization reactions in olefins. Our results indicate that the selectivity of the reaction may be controlled by using supported catalysts with appropriate metal particle shapes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Nanosized platinum particles dispersed on platelet-type CNF efficiently catalyze the reduction of functionalized nitroarenes to the corresponding substituted anilines in high turnover numbers with other functional groups remaining intact.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, pyrrole hydrogenation was demonstrated to be structure sensitive because ring opening occurred more easily over larger particles compared to smaller ones, caused by surface roughness or electronic effects that change with particle size.
Abstract: Well-defined platinum nanoparticles between 0.8 and 5.0 nm were prepared using dendrimer and polymer capping agents and supported onto mesoporous SBA-15 silica. Using these model catalysts, pyrrole hydrogenation was demonstrated to be structure sensitive because ring opening occurred more easily over larger particles compared to smaller ones. The phenomenon is caused by surface roughness or electronic effects that change with particle size.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed analysis of the influence of chemical enhancement effects on the SERS signals is presented, which shows that the relative Raman intensities of SERS spectra depend strongly on the binding interaction between pyridine and SERS active centers, the electronic property of metal materials, and the incident wavelengths.
Abstract: Using density functional theory, we have studied the interactions between pyridine (Py) and coinage metals (silver, copper, and gold) as well as the transition metal platinum. We present here a detailed analysis of the influence of chemical enhancement effects on the SERS signals. We analyze the differential Raman scattering cross sections of the a1 vibrational modes related to Py. The results show that the relative Raman intensities of SERS spectra depend strongly on the binding interaction between Py and the SERS active centers, the electronic property of metal materials, and the incident wavelengths. When the bonding between Py and a SERS site is very weak, analogous to physical adsorption, the Raman spectra of the adsorbed Py are similar to that of free Py. For Py interacting strongly with copper, gold, and platinum clusters, we find that the Raman intensities of the v1, v6a, v9a, and v8a modes of Py are enhanced, whereas the intensity of the v12 mode decreases. To check the enhancement effect of the ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the physical properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller adsorption (BET) methods.
Abstract: TiO2 (commercial-P25 and synthesized by sol−gel method) was surface modified with platinum ions or [Pt3(CO)6]62- clusters to improve its photocatalytic activity. The physical properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller adsorption (BET) methods. To characterize the absorption ability of visible light, the diffusion reflectance spectra (DRS) were recorded. The charge-carrier lifetimes in TiO2 after UV illumination were determined by microwave absorption experiments using the time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) method. The photocatalyst activity was examined by degradation of exemplary aqueous phase pollutants, such as Rhodamine B and phenol. The impact of the adsorbates on the photocatalytic activity depends strongly on the titania precursor (commercial or synthesized), the irradiation wavelength (UV or visible), and the model compound (dye or phenol). The results show that it is possib...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the catalytic activity of platinum monolayers supported on close-packed transition metal surfaces (Au(1.1), Pt(1, 1, 1), Pd(1, 1, 1), Ir(1), 1, 2) was investigated for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by generating free energy diagrams.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a bell-shaped (convex parabolic) differential capacitance versus potential (Cdl−E) curve was observed at a glassy carbon (non-metallic) electrode in the same set of ILs with cations and anions of similar sizes.
Abstract: We experimentally observed for the first time a bell-shaped (convex parabolic) differential capacitance versus potential (Cdl−E) curve, which is expected according to the theory of Kornyshev given for the electrical double layer (EDL) of metal electrode/ionic liquid (IL) interface, at platinum and gold electrodes in four different [quaternary ammonium, imidazolium, and pyrrolidinium cations and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion-based] ILs with cations and anions of similar sizes. The Cdl−E curves measured at a glassy carbon (nonmetallic) electrode in the same set of ILs were found to be U-shaped, in contrast to those obtained at platinum and gold electrodes. The present study corroborates the so-called Kornyshev’s model of the EDL at metal electrode/IL interfaces and at the same time demands a theoretical model for the nonmetallic electrode/IL interface. The EDL formation in ILs is discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a hybrid photocatalytic system based on a mixed-phase cadmium sulfide matrix composed of nanoparticulate cubic-phase CdS (c-CdS) with average particle diameters of 13 nm and a bandgap energy of 2.6 eV was proposed.
Abstract: A hybrid photocatalytic system, which is based on a mixed-phase cadmium sulfide matrix composed of nanoparticulate cubic-phase CdS (c-CdS) with average particle diameters of 13 nm and a bandgap energy of 2.6 eV, is coupled with bulk-phase hexagonal CdS (hex-CdS) that has a bandgap energy of 2.3 eV and is interlinked with elemental platinum deposits. The resulting hybrid nanocomposite catalysts are photocatalytically efficient with respect to hydrogen gas production from water with visible light irradiation at λ > 420 nm. Rates of H2 production approaching 1.0 mmol-H2 g−1 h−1 are obtained with a c-CdS/Pt/hex-CdS composite photocatalyst, in the presence of a mixed sodium sulfide and sodium sulfite background electrolyte system at pH 14. In contrast, the same composite produces H2 a rate of 0.15 mmol g−1 h−1 at pH 7 in a water-isopropanol solvent system. The relative order of reactivity for the synthesized hybrid catalysts was found to be c-CdS/Pt/hex-CdS > Pt/c-CdS/hex-CdS > Pt/hex-CdS > hex-CdS > c-CdS/hex...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article showed that the lattice parameter of alloy nanoparticles scales linearly with the relative Au-Pt content in the composition, and De and Rao reported the formation of core/shell nanoparticles of Au and Pt at elevated temperatures.
Abstract: Metallic nanoparticles have recently received much attention as catalysts In particular, gold nanoparticles have been shown to be excellent catalysts for oxidation reactions Thus, in 1989 Haruta reported the low-temperature oxidation of CO by molecular oxygen using gold nanoclusters Catalysis under very mild conditions at room temperature is of particular interest Recently, Miyamura et al demonstrated that the aerobic oxidation of alcohols can be performed at room temperature by using gold nanoclusters stabilized by a polymer Nanometer-scale alloy particles composed of gold and platinum metals may be prepared that exhibit improved catalytic activities as compared to the pure Au nanoparticles In particular, Enache et al were able to show that Au–Pd nanocrystals present excellent catalysts for the oxidation of primary alcohols Bimetallic Au–Pt nanoparticles (Au–Pt NPs) have been used recently in electrocatalysis Here, the question arises whether the alloy exhibits a miscibility gap, as in the bulk phase, or whether a homogeneous solid solution can be achieved Lou et al showed that the lattice parameter of alloy nanoparticles scales linearly with the relative Au–Pt content in the composition On the other hand, De and Rao reported the formation of core/shell nanoparticles of Au and Pt at elevated temperatures Recent theoretical work suggests that the catalytic properties

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the hydrogen storage capacity of two different high surface area carbon materials of templated carbon (TC) and superactivated carbon (AX-21) doped with three different metals (Ru, Pt, and Ni) have been studied.
Abstract: Hydrogen adsorption properties of two different high surface area carbon materials of templated carbon (TC) and superactivated carbon (AX-21) doped with three different metals (Ru, Pt, and Ni) have been studied. The equilibrium hydrogen storage capacities followed the order of Ru/C > Pt/C > Ni/C on both TC and AX-21. Ru doped on templated carbon (Ru/TC) showed a hydrogen storage capacity of 1.43 wt % at 298 K and 10.3 MPa. Furthermore, a thermal reduction method was applied to increase the contacts between the Ru metal particles and the carbon support, and in turn, to facilitate hydrogen spillover. The ruthenium-doped templated carbon by thermal reduction (Ru/TC-T) showed the highest hydrogen storage of 1.56 wt % at 298 K and 10.3 MPa, resulting in an enhancement factor of 2 compared with that of the undoped carbon. These experimental results were interpreted by using a simple mechanistic model for hydrogen spillover.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Cyanogenic Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and P plecoglossicida were able to mobilize silver, gold, and platinum when grown in the presence of various metal-containing solids such as gold-containing electronic scrap, silver-containing jewelry waste, or======platinum-containing automobile catalytic converters as mentioned in this paper.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The catalytic conversion of glycerol to hydrogen by aqueous-phase reforming (APR) on several platinum based catalysts was studied in this paper, where the application of different pre-treatment conditions resulted in catalysts with metal particle sizes in a range of 1.6-3.2nm.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Aug 2008-Carbon
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of three activation procedures (nitric acid oxidation, ball-milling and air oxidation) on nanotubes surface chemistry and morphology was evaluated by XPS, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, TGA, TPD, nitrogen adsorption and TEM.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that the Pt(II) chloro complexes are simply acting as precursors to Pt colloids that function as the H2 generating catalyst.
Abstract: Platinum(II) bi- and terpyridyl chloro complexes, Pt(dcbpy)Cl2 and [Pt(ttpy)Cl]+, where dcbpy = 4,4′-dicarboxyl-2,2′-bipyridine and ttpy = 4-tolyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, are used to investigate the nature of the active catalyst for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water. In a Pt(II) chloro system that contains a sacrificial electron donor, either MeOH or triethanolamine (TEOA), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an electron relay, sizable amounts of H2 can be observed upon UV bandgap irradiation. The quantity of H2 can be significantly reduced in the presence of mercury under the same conditions. Using a known sensitizer, [Pt(ttpy)(phenylacetylide)]+ (1), combined with a Pt(II) chloro complex in a similar system, there is a substantial induction period until the evolution of H2, under visible light (λ > 410 nm) irradiation. It is suggested that the Pt(II) chloro complexes are simply acting as precursors to Pt colloids that function as the H2 generating catalyst

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The “intelligent” catalyst system of Daihatsu shows in-built structural reversibility of the noble metal component of Pt-based three-way catalysts (TWCs), and the conventional approach to redispersion and reactivation is highly unsuitable on many counts for “on-board” redisp immersion and regeneration of TWCs.
Abstract: Supported precious metals, such as platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), and palladium (Pd), are used to facilitate many industrial catalytic processes. Pt in particular is found at the core of catalysts used throughout the petrochemical industry: from bifunctional catalysts (isomerization/dehydrogenation) used for refining of hydrocarbon fuel stocks, to three-way (CO and hydrocarbon oxidation/NOx reduction) conversions within car exhausts. In this latter, ubiquitous application— commercialized in the USA and Japan in 1977—Pt has always been a pivotal component in the abatement of harmful gas emissions from gasolineor diesel-driven engines. The ever-increasing appreciation of the damage that noxious gas emissions are doing to our environment and the finite availability of noble metals provide strong drivers for the continued study and optimization of the behavior of Pt-based three-way catalysts (TWCs). Central to technological progress in this area is a fundamental understanding of how these materials behave, which may allow us to stop them degrading or deactivating during operation. A longstanding problem, affecting many applications that use highly dispersed metal nanoparticles, is loss of active surface area in the metal components as a result of “sintering”. This is a particularly pernicious problem in applications in which catalysts have to experience high temperatures—in excess of 800 8C in the case of modern car catalysts. This deleterious process causes the particle size of the metal to increase massively—through either particle diffusion or agglomeration or through “ripening” processes. The result is that a large fraction of the active metal is effectively “hidden away” within the bulk of these larger particles where it cannot be used to affect the desired chemical conversions that occur on the particle surface. This central issue of exhaust catalyst deactivation has long been recognized in the hydrocarbon reforming and emission abatement industries. In the former industry, “oxidative redispersion” has been utilized to reverse the effects of sintering and regenerate spent Pt-based reforming catalysts. However, whereas other noble metal particles such as Pd or Rh can be effectively redispersed by gaseous oxygen at certain temperatures, this method is efficient for Pt catalysts only when Cl is present either in the catalyst formulation or as an adjunct added during the redispersion process: in the absence of Cl, redispersion in Pt/Al2O3 by oxygen is limited both to a narrow temperature window (of around 500 8C) and a low level of redispersion. 6] Further, a continuous oxidative treatment over time is required for this redispersion process. Exhaust gases exiting from gasoline engines change quickly and dramatically during operation. Temperatures can rise transiently to around 1000 8C, and the exhaust gas composition itself fluctuates quickly between oxidative and reductive compositions. Clearly, the conventional approach to redispersion and reactivation is highly unsuitable on many counts for “on-board” redispersion and regeneration of TWCs. Other regeneration phenomena have recently been shown in some related cases. The “intelligent” catalyst system of Daihatsu shows in-built structural reversibility of the noble metal component. In this case, it is the structure of the perovskite support that provides the foundation for this extremely elegant piece of applied catalyst design. The possibility of forming very large particles is intrinsically reduced and, under some circumstances, this technology has been successfully commercialized. However, this approach is very much dependent upon the structure of a particular and low surface area support material and is limited in this sense. [*] Dr. Y. Nagai, K. Dohmae, T. Tanabe, Dr. H. Shinjoh TOYOTA Central R&D Labs., Inc. Nagakute, Aichi 480-1192 (Japan) Fax: (+ 81)561-63-6150 E-mail: e1062@mosk.tytlabs.co.jp