Abstract

Laser-induced plasma spectrometry was used as a procedure for the comparative study of diesel-engine exhaust converters. Three-dimensional images were obtained and compared from “0 km” and “80 000 km” converters to generate semi-quantitative chemical images of the Pt load and of the poisoning elements P and Zn. The data revealed that a significant progressive depletion of Pt occurred from the converter region closest to the engine to the outer part of the catalyst. Deactivant elements were deposited along the full catalyst on usage for 80 000 km.