Toyota exploring development of synthetic catalysts in bid to reduce dependency on precious metals

exhaust system

Toyota is exploring the development of catalysts at the quantum level in a bid to reduce the dependency of the usage of precious metals in automotive catalytic converters as well as in fuel cells, according to a report.

The automaker’s Central R&D Labs is closely studying metal cluster chemistry, in which some naturally occurring clusters are known to be involved in catalytic reactions. These have sparked off significant interest in the potential use of synthetic clusters in industrial applications, the Green Car Congress reports.

Research has been carried on different types of reactions involving metal clusters deposited on a support material to determine the relationship between these atomically-controlled cluster sizes and catalytic activity. Findings have indicated that catalytic activity is very much determined by a number of parameters – the clusters’ electronic structure, their geometry on a support material as well as the interaction between cluster and material.

Enhancing the catalytic activity of some clusters – by controlling cluster size and the interaction between components – could greatly reduce the utilisation of precious metals as catalytic agents, though the work is still very much one in progress, the automaker says.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Sam Loo1 on Feb 24, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    See, our Toyota is really moving forward. First fuel cell car in the world which will be launched, and now the exhaust systems. Toyota is the best brand ever. Please buy it, you will not regret for sure.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 17
    • Launch liao see price only talk.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
      • Same L0rrrr on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:09 am

        Foreign cars are expensive thanks to Proton! Buying a Proton or paying high taxes getting other cars, you are still subsidizing Proton.

        Toyota research on new technology while Proton research into moving a god damn tiny B-segment hatchback with 1.6 engine (2.0 is coming)!

        See the contrast?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • In another news, Toyolta will be looking into using cardboard to make the chassis. Reason is because past customers do not value safety as long as the body is light to save fuel not to mention its the badge in the front that gives the RV, not the car itself

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Alex9968 on Feb 24, 2015 at 4:12 pm

      Haha.How about 4 airbag in Camry 2.5V with RM181K?The most “better” spec never offer by other company.I will get a Iriz which RM63K with much better safety package than 3X money for a Roti kosong.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 7
    • First production fuel cell car in the world should be Hyundai Tucson if not mistaken.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
      • HyundaiKiaLaJunk on Feb 25, 2015 at 8:44 am

        Hahaha… Korean Car Fanboy will claim everything under the sun are invented by Korean, don’t be supprised they start claiming first mass production car in the world is KIA Model T then been rebadge in Ford Model T…lol

        First production fuel cell car is Honda FCX Clarity.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • God Car on Feb 24, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      Yes moving forward all the time with 4 speed auto.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • Sam Loo (ori1) on Feb 24, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      Fake fella lar

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Jimmy on Feb 24, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    We always welcome R & D for precision and perfection, instead of cost-cutting techniques.
    Cost-cutting must have a limit, without compromising safety.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo (ori1) on Feb 24, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    As long as its not a kimchi, it will have RV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 5
  • Visitor on Feb 24, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    Does not matter if it is Toyota or not, but R&D like this is surely something that can bring automotive industry to even greater heights, especially in the pursuit of greener cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Sam Loo (ori1) on Feb 26, 2015 at 5:53 am

      Koreans definition of R&D is Rip_others_off and Dump their rubbish produce overseas

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • chrisck on Feb 26, 2015 at 11:04 pm

        If korean considered rip of others then umw toyol rip off our whole family loh

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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