How Do Rare Earth Oxides Function in Catalytic Converters?
Automotive catalytic converters are one of the most common applications of REOs. Here, cerium oxide plays a crucial role in the three-way catalyst system by alternating between its Ce4+ and Ce3+ oxidation states. This redox cycle allows cerium oxide to store and release oxygen, enabling the converter to efficiently oxidize carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) while reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx).
