Development of Highly Interactive Materials;Novel Device for NOx Decomposition by Electrochemical Nano-Reactor with Thermoelectric Energy Conversion

Abstract

Selective separation and purifying of NOx in exhaust gases and energy supplying by the thermoelectric energy conversion has been improved on their properties respectively and designed to be unified as a prototype of a materials device by functional integration. Novel electrochemical cells for NOx decomposition were developed by the meso- and nano-scale control of penetrating pores, ionic and electronic conductors through the electro-catalytic electrode in the cell. Drastic improvement on the current efficiency and suppressing working voltage of the cells enabled us to apply it for purifying exhaust gases from vehicles, gas engines and so on. Thermoelectric oxides have been developed for electrical power supplying to the deNOx electrochemical cell from wasted heat of exhaust gases. High performance materials, n-p type cells and the power module were successfully developed.Research supported by NEDO, under the Synergy Ceramics Project promoted by METI, Japan.