Platinum in Catalytic Converters Explained
Catalytic converters are key parts in car exhaust systems that clean up harmful gases from engines. They use special metals like platinum to make dirty exhaust less dangerous to breathe. Inside a catalytic converter, there is a honeycomb structure coated with tiny amounts of platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions without getting used up themselves.[1][2][4]
When a car engine runs, it produces bad pollutants like carbon monoxide, unburned fuel bits called hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides known as NOx. Platinum helps turn carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. It also works with the other metals to break down NOx into harmless nitrogen and oxygen. This happens fast at high heat, often over 400 degrees Celsius, so the converter sits in the exhaust pipe where it can get hot enough.[1][3][5]
Platinum stands out because it is great at handling these reactions. It lowers the energy needed for gases to change form, like opening a door that was stuck. In older two-way converters, platinum mainly handles carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Newer three-way ones on modern cars use it for all three main pollutants.[1][4][7]
Car makers choose platinum for its reliability and because it lasts under tough conditions. It comes from the platinum group of metals, which are rare and valuable. A single converter might hold just a few grams of platinum, but that small amount does big work cleaning the air.[2][6][7]
These metals make catalytic converters worth stealing, as thieves sell them to recycle the platinum and others. Prices change with market demand from cars, jewelry, and tech. Vehicles from Europe and Asia often have more of these metals, making their converters extra valuable.[2][3]
If a converter fails, you might smell rotten eggs from the exhaust, see a check engine light, or notice worse gas mileage. It can clog up and hurt engine power too.[3]
For more on how they work, check out details from https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/108937/what-is-a-catalytic-converter.[1]
Sources
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/108937/what-is-a-catalytic-converter
https://pmrcc.com/en/news-blog/catalytic-converter-price/catalytic-converter-price-and-what-metals-do-they-contain/
https://revolutionmw.com/catalytic-converter-repair/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum
https://energy.sustainability-directory.com/term/catalytic-conversion/
https://goldsell.co.uk/what-is-platinum-used-for/
https://iscrapapp.com/blog/catalytic-converter-scrap-price-guide-how-prices-are-determined/