What is a Three-Way Catalytic Converter?
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A three-way catalytic converter is a crucial component for purifying exhaust emissions in gasoline-powered vehicles. Its substrate is a porous ceramic material installed within a specially designed exhaust pipe. The surface of this porous ceramic material is coated with precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, palladium, and rare earth coatings, which serve as the essential substances for the redox reactions of harmful gases like carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) (the substrate itself does not participate in the reaction). The primary function of the three-way catalytic converter is to convert these three harmful gases—CO, HC, and NOx—into non-toxic and harmless substances such as water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen (N₂), and oxygen (O₂).