Process for the inorganic chemical modification of rhodium alumina catalysts and automotive catalyst made by the process

摘要

A process for chemically converting surface hydroxyl groups present on an aluminum oxide supported rhodium catalyst that is suitable for use as an automotive catalyst in controlling automotive exhaust emissions is disclosed. The process includes converting the hydroxyl groups on the aluminum oxide supported catalyst by reacting the aluminum oxide support with an alumina modifier which comprises an inorganic compound containing the cation Y, wherein Y is either an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. This process involves replacing the hydroxyl groups on the aluminum oxide support with OY groups to resist the oxidative conversion of supported metallic rhodium Rhx (O) to Rh(I). An associated catalyst suitable for use in automotive catalytic converter technology for environmental protection is provided.