CATALYST FOR EXHAUST GAS PURIFICATION, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF PURIFYING EXHAUST GAS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas, a process for producing the same, and a method using the catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas, in particular, to an NO_x storage and reduction type catalyst which can efficiently purify nitrogen oxides (NO_x) in an exhaust gas which contains oxygen excessively in an amount more than necessary for oxidizing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) which are contained in the exhaust gas, a process for producing the same and a method for purifying the exhaust gas by using the catalyst.

Background Art

Conventionally, as a catalyst for purifying an automobile exhaust gas, a 3-way catalyst has been employed which carries out the oxidation of CO and HC and the reduction of NO_x simultaneously to purify an exhaust gas. With regard to such a catalyst, for example, a catalyst has been known widely in which a loading layer comprising γ-alumina is formed on a heat-resistant support, such as cordierite, and a noble metal, such as Pt, Pd and Rh, is loaded on the loading layer.

By the way, the purifying performance of such a catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas depends greatly on the air-fuel ratio (A/F) of an engine. For example, when the air-fuel ratio is large, namely on a lean side where the fuel concentration is lean, the oxygen amount in the exhaust gas increases so that the oxidation reactions of purifying CO and HC are active, on the other hand, the reduction reactions of purifying NO_x are inactive. Conversely, for example, when the air-fuel ratio is small, namely on a rich side where the fuel concentration is high, the oxygen amount in the exhaust gas decreases so that the oxidation reactions are inactive and the reduction reactions are active.

Whilst, in order to suppress the recent global warming, it is required to control the CO₂ emission in automobiles. In order to meet the requirement, the lean burn is effective in which the burning is carried out in an oxygen-rich lean atmosphere having a large air-fuel ratio, engines, which are appropriate for the lean burn, have been made practicable. However, when purifying the exhaust gas emitted from the lean burn engines, there arises a problem in that it is difficult to purify the NO_x as aforementioned.

Hence, an NO_x storage and reduction type catalyst has been proposed in which an alkaline-earth metal and Pt are loaded on a porous support, such as alumina (Al₂O₃), (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 5-317,652, etc.). In accordance with this catalyst, since the NO_x are absorbed in the alkaline-earth metal, serving as the NO_x storage member, and since they are reacted with the reducing components, such as HC, and are purified, it is possible to control the emission of the NO_x even on the lean side.

In the catalyst disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 5-317,652, it is believed that barium, for example, is loaded as the carbonate, and the like, on the support, and it reacts with NO_x to generate barium nitrate (Ba(NO₃)₂) in a lean atmosphere, thereby storing the NO_x. And, when the exhaust gas is in the range of from the stoichiometric point to the rich atmosphere, the stored NO_x are released and are reacted with the reducing components, such as HC and CO, and are thereby reduced. And, in order to enhance the NO_x conversion by carrying out these reactions of the NO_x storage member efficiently, an engine control method has been developed, in which the air-fuel ratio is usually controlled on an oxygen-excessive lean side and it is intermittently controlled in the range of from the stoichiometric point to the rich atmosphere in a pulsating manner, and has been put into practical applications.

In accordance with this engine control method, since the used amount of the fuel is less on the lean side, the emission of the CO₂ is suppressed, and the NO_x are stored in the NO_x storage member. Accordingly, the emission of the NO_x is suppressed on the lean side as well. And, the stored NO_x are released in the range of from the stoichiometric point to the rich side, and are reacted with the reducing components, such as HC and CO, by the catalytic action of Pt, and so on. Therefore, a high NO_x purifying capability is exhibited as a whole.

However, in the exhaust gas, SO₂ is contained which is generated by burning sulfur (S) contained in the fuel, it is further oxidized to SO₃, by the noble metal in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Then, they are easily reacted with the barium, etc., to generate sulfites and sulfates, and it is understood that the NO_x storage member is thus poisoned and degraded. This phenomenon is referred to as sulfur poisoning. Moreover, the porous support, such as alumina, has a property that it is likely to adsorb the SO_x, and there is a problem in that the aforementioned sulfur poisoning is facilitated.

And, when the NO_x storage member is turned into the sulfites and the sulfates, it cannot store the NO_x any more, and, as a result, there is a drawback in the aforementioned NO_x storage and reduction type catalyst in that the NO_x purifying ability decreases after a durability test.

Moreover, since TiO₂, which is an acidic oxide, does not adsorb SO₂, it was thought of using a TiO₂ support, and an experiment was carried out. As a result, SO₂ was not adsorbed by the TiO₂ and flowed downstream as it was, since only the SO₂, which contacted directly with the noble metal, was oxidized, it was revealed that the sulfur poisoning occurred to a lesser extent. However, in the TiO₂ support, a drawback was revealed that the initial activity was low. This reason is believed that the NO_x purifying capability of the NO_x storage member decreases because TiO₂ reacts with the NO_x storage member to form composite oxides (BaTiO₃, etc.) in the temperature range of the exhaust gas.

Hence, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 6-327,945, it is proposed to use a support in which Al₂O₃ is mixed with a composite oxide, such as a Ba-Ce composite oxide and a Ba-Ce-Nb composite oxide. In addition, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 8-99,034, it is proposed to use at least one composite support selected from the group consisting of TiO₂ - Al₂O₃,ZrO₂ -Al₂O₃ and SiO₂-Al₂O₃.

EP-A-0 707 882 discloses a catalyst comprising Ti-Zr or Ti-Zr-Y on an alumina support.

By thus using the support in which the composite oxide is mixed, or by using the composite support, the NOx storage member is inhibited from the sulfur poisoning, and the NOx purifying capability after durability is improved. However, a further reduction of the CO₂ emission is required against the recent issue of the global warming, and the lean burn driving range tends to increase. Accordingly, since the sulfur poisoning tends to further increase, and since the exhaust gas emission control tends to be further strengthened, the exhaust gas purifying catalysts are required to furthermore improve their durability.

The present invention has been developed in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to make an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, in which the sulfur poisoning of the NO_x storage member can be further inhibited, and which can maintain a high NO_x conversion even after a durability test.

Disclosure of Invention

A characteristic of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst according to the present invention, solving the aforementioned assignments, is that the catalyst comprises: the coating layer including a porous oxide including TiO₂ at least, zirconia on which Rh is loaded in advance; CeO₂-ZrO₂ composite oxide; an NO_x storage member including at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and rare-earth elements and loaded on the coating layer; and a noble metal including at least one member selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Rh and loaded on the coating layer.

In the aforementioned exhaust gas purifying catalyst, it is preferred that the porous oxide includes a composite oxide of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂.

Further, a characteristic of a process for producing an exhaust gas purifying catalyst according to the present invention is that the process comprises the steps of: a step of forming a loading layer on a substrate by using a slurry which includes a porous oxide including TiO₂ at least, ZrO₂ with Rh loaded in advance and CeO₂-ZrO₂ composite oxide; and a step of loading a noble metal including at least one member selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Rh, and, an NOx storage member including at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and rare-earth elements.

In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst according to the present invention, the support is constituted by a substrate and a coating layer. The substrate may be a honeycomb-shaped monolithic substrate, on the surface of which is formed a coating layer, the coating layer is constituted by a porous oxide including TiO₂ at least and ZrO₂ with Rh loaded in advance (hereinafter referred to as rh/ZrO₂), and an NO_x storage member and a noble metal are loaded on the support. This Rh/ZrO₂ exhibits a high function or reducing and purifying NO_x, which are released from the NO_x storage member in an exhaust gas atmosphere of from a stoichiometric point to rich, and the NO_x purifying performance is improved sharply. Further, compared with Pt, Rh grows granularly less remarkably in a lean atmosphere. Therefore, the durability upgrades by the presence of Rh.

Further, by Rh, hydrogen of a high reducing power is generated from HC and H₂O in the exhaust gas (steam reforming reaction), this hydrogen contributes greatly to the reduction of NO_x and the elimination of SO_x from the sulfites and sulfides of the NO_x storage member. Thus, the NO_x reduction amount is high in a rich atmosphere, and the sulfur poisoning takes place less remarkably.

Rh is used in a state where it is loaded on ZrO₂ at least. Namely, ZrO₂ has a function of sharply improving the steam reforming reaction when it is combined with Rh. In Rh/ZrO₂, the loading amount of Rh can preferably be in a range of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, and can optimally be in a range of from 0.5 to 2% by weight. When the loading amount of Rh is less than 0.1% by weight, the NO_x reduction capability decreases, when loading it in excess of 10% by weight, the effect saturates and it is unpreferable in terms of costs.

Furthermore, the ratio of RH/ZrO₂ with respect to the porous oxide in the coating layer can preferably be from 5 to 50% by weight in the coating layer. When Rh/ZrO₂ is less than 5% by weight, the NO_x reduction capability decreases in a rich atmosphere, and when it exceeds 50% by weight, the porous oxide amount is so less that the purifying performance decreases relatively.

By the way, ZrO₂ may have a drawback in that it exhibits a lower heat resistance compared with Al₂O₃, which is often used as a support for a noble metal, so that the specific surface area decreases by the heat in the service as an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and thereby the dispersibility of the loaded Rh may decrease so that the purifying performance decreases.

Hence, as for a support for Rh, it is preferable to use ZrO₂ which is stabilized by an alkaline-earth metal or lanthanum. By using the stabilized ZrO₂ support, since the heat resistance is improved so sharply that the highly dispersed state of Rh is maintained, a much higher purifying performance can be obtained even after a durability test.

Moreover, in the exhaust gas purifying catalyst according to the present invention, the porous oxide including TiO₂ at least is used together with the aforementioned Rh/ZrO₂. As for this porous oxide, although Al₂O₃ , SiO₂, zeolite, and so on, can be exemplified, it is preferable to contain Al₂ O₃ in addition to TiO₂. Al₂O₃ can coexist with TiO ₂ as an independent oxide, or can preferably constitute a composite oxide together with TiO₂.

TiO₂, as aforementioned, may have a disadvantage in that it reacts with the NO_x storage member to form composite oxides (BaTiO₃, etc.) so that the NO_x reduction capability decreases sharply. On the other hand, when TiO₂ coexists with Al₂O₃, or when a composite oxide of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ is formed, it has been apparent that they are inhibited from generating the composite oxides of the NO_x storage member and them. Therefore, as the porous oxide, when Al₂O₃ is included in addition to TiO₂, it is much better in the heat resistance, and can maintain a high NO_x conversion even after a durability test. Moreover, by the existence of Al₂O₃, a high NO_x performance can be obtained even initially.

When TiO₂ is mixed as a powder, it is preferred that the particle diameter can fall in a range of from 1 to 100 nm. When the particle diameter is less than 1nm, the particles of BaTiO₃, and so on, are coarsened, because the particles as a whole react with the NO_x storage member. Moreover, when the particle diameter exceeds 100 nm, the effect of TiO₂ addition is not revealed, because the surface area of TiO₂ decreases. . Accordingly, when the particle diameter of TiO₂ falls outside the aforementioned range, it isunpreferable because the NO_x conversion decreases after a durability test even in either of the cases.

A ratio of Al₂O₃ to TiO₂ can preferably fall in a range of Al₂O₃ / TiO₂ = 30/1 to 1/30. When TiO₂ is less than the range, it is difficult to inhibit the sulfur poisoning, and when TiO₂ exceeds this range, a sufficient purifying performance cannot be obtained. The coating layer further comprises an CeO₂-ZrO₂ composite oxide.

Note that the coating layer can further include a porous oxide of good gas adsorbing property, such as SiO₂, ZrO₂, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, and so on, in addition to Al₂O₃ and TiO₂.

As for the NO_x storage member, it is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and rare-earth elements, as for the alkali metals, it is possible to list lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium. Further, the alkaline-earth metals are referred to asthe elements of group IIa in the periodic table of the elements, it is possible to list barium; beryllium, magnesium, calcium and strontium. As for the rare-earth elements, it is possible to list scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium praseodymium, neodymium, and so on.

The loading amount of the NO_x storage member can preferably be from 0.01 to 10 mole with respect to 100 g of the support. When the loading amount of the NO_x storage member is less than 0.01 mole, a sufficient NO_x purifying performance cannot be obtained, when the loading amount of the NO_x storage member exceeds 10 mole, the NO_x storage member convers the surface of the noble metal so that the purifying performance decreases. Moreover, when the loading amount of the NO_x storage member exceeds 10 mole, there arises such a drawback that the granular growth of the noble metal is facilitated.

As for the noble metal, at least one member, which is selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Rh, is used. The loading amount of the noble metal can preferably be from 0.05 to 5% by weight with respect to the support. When the loading amount of the noble metal is less than 0.05% by weight with respect to the support, the NO _x purifying performance is low, when it is loaded in excess of 5% by weight, the effect saturates and it is unpreferable in terms of costs.

Note that the coexistence form of the porous oxide including TiO₂ at least and Rh/ZrO₂ can be constituted by mixing the respective powders uniformly, or a coating layer can be constituted by dividing the coating layer into an upper layer and a lower layer, respectively.

And, in the exhaust gas purifying method according to the present invention, by using the aforementioned exhaust gas purifying catalyst, NO_x in a lean exhaust gas, which is generated by burning an air-fuel mixture of an oxygen excess lean atmosphere, is stored in the NO_x storage member, and, in a rich exhaust gas, which is generated by burning an air-fuel mixture of from a stoichiometric point to a rich atmosphere, the NO_x stored in the NO_x storage member are released. And, the released NO_x are reduced and purified by H₂, which is generated by HC and CO in the exhaust gas and the steam reforming reaction of Rh in Rh/ZrO₂.

Moreover, the sulfur oxides in the exhaust gas reacts with the NO_x storage member to produce the sulfates or sulfides, the sulfates or sulfides are readily decomposed by H₂, which is generated by the steam reforming reaction of Rh in Rh/ZrO₂, the NO_x storage capability of the NO_x storage member recovers quickly, and accordingly the NO_x storage capability is furthermore improved over the entire atmosphere of the exhaust gas from the lean atmosphere to the rich atmosphere.

Note that the exhaust gas atmosphere is adjusted so that the time, in which the atmosphere is a lean atmosphere, is dozens of times that of the time, in which the atmosphere is from a stoichiometric point to the rich atmosphere, and it is preferred that the atmosphere is varied from a stoichiometric point to a rich atmosphere in a pulsating manner. When the time, in which the atmosphere is from a stoichiometric point to the rich atmosphere, is shorter than the time, it is difficult to reduce and purify NO_x, when the time, in which the atmosphere is from a stoichiometric point to a rich atmosphere, is longer than the time, it is unpreferred because the fuel consumption enlarges and the CO₂ emission increases.

Brief Description of Drawing

Fig. 1 is a major enlarged cross-sectional diagram for schematically illustrating an exhaust gas purifying catalyst of an embodiment according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a graph for showing after-durability-test NO_x conversions which were exhibited by examples of the present invention and comparative examples, and Fig. 3 is a graph for showing an SO₂ emission behavior.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

(Examples)

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples and comparative examples. Note that, unless otherwise specified, "parts" hereinafter mean parts by weight.

(Example No. 1)

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst of this embodiment. This exhaust gas purifying catalyst is constituted by a honeycomb-shaped monolithic substrate 1, and a coating layer 2 formed on the surface of the monolithic substrate 1. The coating layer 2 is constituted mainly by an Al₂O₃ powder 20 and a TiO₂ powder 21, and an Rh/ZrO₂ powder 22, which is made by loading Rh on the ZrO₂ powder, a CeO₂-ZrO₂ composite oxide powder 23, Pt 24, Ba 25, K 26 and Li 27 are loaded.

Hereinafter, a production process of this catalyst will be described instead of the detailed description of the arrangements.

A rhodium nitrate aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration was impregnated into a ZrO₂ powder in a predetermined amount, was dried and burned so that an Rh/ZrO₂ powder was prepared. On the Rh/ZrO₂ powder, 0.42% by weight of Rh is loaded.

The resulting Rh/ZrO₂ powder was mixed with a γ -Al₂O₃ powder, a rutile type TiO₂ powder and a CeO₂ -ZrO₂ composite oxide powder so that a support powder was prepared. The mixing ratio was, by weight ratio, Al₂O₃ : TiO₂ : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 1 : 1 : 0.1 : 0.2.

After this support powder was mixed well, it was mixed with water and a trace amount of an alumina sol so that a slurry was prepared, was coated on a surface of a cordierite monolithic support having a volume of 1.3 liter, and was dried at 250 °C for 15 minutes so that a coating layer was formed. The coating layer was formed in an amount of 270 g with respect to 1 liter of the monolithic substrate.

A barium acetate aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration was impregnated into the monolithic catalyst having the coating layer, was dried at 250 °C for 15 minutes, and was thereafter burned at 500 °C for 30 minutes so that Ba was loaded. The loading amount of Ba was 0.2 mole with respect to 1 liter of the monolithic substrate. This was immersed into an aqueous ammonium bicarbonate having a concentration of 15 g/L for 15 minutes, and was dried at 250 °C for 15 minutes so that barium carbonate was made.

Then, a dinitrodiamine platinum nitrate aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration was prepared, the aforementioned monolithic support with Ba loaded was immersed thereinto, was taken up therefrom, was blown off excessive liquid droplets, was dried at 300 °C for 15 minutes, and was burned at 500 °C for 30 minutes so that Pt was loaded. The loading amount of Pt was 2 g with respect to 1 liter of the monolithic substrate.

Moreover, an aqueous solution containing potassium nitrate and lithium nitrate in predetermined concentrations was impregnated into the coating layer in a predetermined amount, was dried at 250 °C for 15 minutes, and was thereafter burned at 500 °C for 30 minutes so that K and Li were loaded, and a catalyst of Example No. 1 was prepared. The loading amounts of K and Li were 0.1 mole, respectively, with respect to 1 liter of monolithic substrate.

The resulting catalyst was installed to an exhaust system of a 1.8 L lean burn engine, and a facilitated durability test, in which an automobile was driven in a pattern simulating an urban driving, by using a gasoline containing 200 ppm of sulfur components for 50 hours. Thereafter, while supplying a lean air-fuel mixture whose A/F = 18 or more, an air-fuel mixture of from a stoichiometric point to a rich atmosphere whose A/F = 14.6 or less was supplied every dozens of seconds in a pulsating manner, the automobile was run in the 10-15 mode, and the NO_x conversions in the driving were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 2)

Except that the mixing ratio was varied to Al₂O₃ : TiO₂ : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 1 : 1 : 0.2 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 2 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 3)

Except that the mixing ratio was varied to Al₂O₃ : TiO₂ : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 1 : 1 : 0.5 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 3 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 4)

Except that the mixing ratio was varied to Al₂O₃ : TiO₂ : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂ -ZrO₂ = 1 : 1 : 1 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 4 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 5)

Except that the mixing ratio was varied to Al₂O₃ : TiO₂ : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 1 : 1 : 2 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 5 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 6)

Except that the mixing ratio was varied to Al₂O₃ : TiO₂ : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 1 : 1 : 4 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 6 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 7)

Except that an Rh/ZrO₂ powder whose Rh concentration was 0.21% by weight was used, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 7 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 8)

Except that an Rh/ZrO₂ powder whose Rh concentration was 0.08% by weight was, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 8 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 9)

Except that an Rh/ZrO₂ powder whose Rh concentration was 1.25% by weight was used, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 9 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 10)

Except that the Al₂O₃ powder and the TiO₂ powder were mixed in 10 : 1 by weight ratio, and that the mixing ratio was varied to the mixed powder : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 2 : 0.5 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 10 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 11)

Except that the Al₂O₃ powder and the TiO₂ powder were mixed in 4 : 1 by weight ratio, and that the mixing ratio was varied to the mixed powder : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 2 : 0.5 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 11 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 12)

Except that the Al₂O₃ powder and the TiO₂ powder were mixed in 1 : 4 by weight ratio, and that the mixing ratio was varied to the mixed powder : Rh/ZrO₂ : CeO₂-ZrO₂ = 2 : 0.5 : 0.2 by weight ratio, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 12 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Example No. 13)

Except that a powder (Rh/ZrO₂-Ca), in which ZrO₂ included Ca in an amount of 4 mole % and Rh was loaded on ZrO₂ in an amount of 0.42% by weight, was used instead of the Rh/ZrO₂ powder, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 3, and the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Example No. 13 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Comparative Example No. 1)

Except that the Rh/ZrO powder was not used, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, and the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 1 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Comparative Example No. 2)

Except that the Rh/ZrO₂ powder was not used, and that the Al₂ O₃ powder and the TiO₂ powder were mixed in a ratio of 10 : 1 by weight, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, and the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 2 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Comparative Example No. 3)

Except that the Rh/ZrO₂ powder was not used, and that the Al₂ O₃ powder and the TiO₂ powder were mixed in a ratio of 4 : 1 by weight, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, and the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 3 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Comparative Example No. 4)

Except that the Rh/ZrO₂ powder was not used, and that the Al₂ O₃ powder and the TiO₂ powder were mixed in a ratio of 1 : 4 by weight, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, and the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 4 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2.

(Comparative Example No. 5)

Except that the Rh/ZrO₂ powder was not used, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were thereafter loaded in the same manner, and further a rhodium nitrate aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration was used, and Rh was loaded in an amount equal to the amount contained in the Rh/ZrO₂ powder on the support of Example No. 1 so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 5 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NOx conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2. Namely, this catalyst was free from ZrO₂.

(Comparative Example No. 6)

Except that a ZrO₂ powder was used instead of the Rh/ZrO₂ powder, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, and the respective components were loaded in the same manner so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 6 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2. Namely, this catalyst was free from Rh.

(Comparative Example No. 7)

Except that a ZrO₂ powder was used instead of the Rh/ZrO₂ powder, a support was prepared in the same manner as Example No. 1, the respective components were thereafter loaded in the same manner, and further a rhodium nitrate aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration was used, and Rh was loaded in an amount equal to the amount contained in the Rh/ZrO₂ powder on the support of Example No. 1 so that a catalyst of Comparative Example No. 7 was prepared. And, in the same manner as Example No. 1, NO_x conversions after the durability test were measured. The results are illustrated in Fig. 2. Namely, in this catalyst, Rh was not necessarily loaded on ZrO₂.

(Evaluation)

In Table 1, there is summarized and shown the support arrangements of the catalysts of the aforementioned examples and comparative examples.

According to Fig. 2, it is understood that the catalysts of the respective examples were superior to the catalysts of comparative examples in terms of the NO_x purifying capability after the durability test, and it is apparent that it was an effect resulting from mixing the Rh/ZrO₂ powder with the support composed of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Namely, the present exhaust gas purifying catalyst is extremely good in terms of the durability, and, in accordance with the present exhaust gas purifying catalyst, it is possible to stably reduce and purify the NO_x in the exhaust gas for a long period of time.

And, by comparing Example Nos. 1-6, it is understood that there is an optimum range in terms of the Rh/ZrO₂ powder content, and it is understood that it can preferably fall in a range of 1/4-1/2 with respect to the summed amount of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Further,by comparing Example No. 1 and Example Nos. 7-9, it is understood that the Rh concentration in the Rh/ZrO₂ powder can preferably be around 0.21% by weight. Furthermore, by comparing Example No. 3 and Example Nos. 10-12, it is understood that the mixing ratio of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ can preferably be adjacent to 1 : 1 by weight ratio.

Whilst, by comparing Comparative Example Nos. 5-7, when Rh coexisted with ZrO₂, it is understood that the NO _x purifying capability was improved most. And, by comparing Example No. 1 with Comparative Example No. 7, it is apparent that an exceptionally high NO_x purifying conversion was exhibited when Rh was loaded on ZrO₂.

Moreover, by comparing Example No. 2 and Example No. 13, it is also understood that it was more preferable to use ZrO₂, which was stabilized by Ca and which was loaded with Rh, than to use simple the Rh/ZrO₂.

Industrial Applicability

Namely, by the exhaust gas purifying catalyst according to the present invention, a high NO_x purifying capability is exhibited initially, since it is extremely good in terms of the sulfur poisoning resistance, the NO_x storage member is inhibited from the sulfur poisoning in the durability test, and thereby it is possible to secure a high NO_x conversion even after the durability test.

Moreover, since an apparent density of ZrO₂ is higher than that of Al₂O₃, which has been used conventionally, it is possible to thin out the thickness of the coating layer. Therefore, by the exhaust gas purifying catalyst according to the present invention, there arises an effect in that it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the exhaust gas so that the engine output is improved.

And, by the exhaust gas purifying process according to the present invention, it is possible to stably reduce and purify the NO_x in the exhaust gas from the beginning for a long period of time.