Question

Name two metals used in a catalytic converter. How do they help in keeping the environment clean?

Answer 1

The catalyst used in the converter is mostly a precious metal such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. Platinum is used as a reduction catalyst and as an oxidation catalyst. Although platinum is a very active catalyst and widely used, it is very expensive and not suitable for all applications.
The two metals used in a catalytic converter are - Platinum and palladium. They help in keeping the environment clean by reducing emission of poisonous gases by:
1. Converting unburnt hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.
2. Changing Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide to carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, respectively.
A catalytic converter is a vehicle's emission control device that is used to convert toxic byproducts of combustion (occurring in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine) to less toxic substances by performing catalysed chemical reactions. The reactions tend to vary depending upon the type of catalyst installed.