My research focus is to develop ion-exchanged zeolites for hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide (HC/NOx) trap material at low temperature. Vehicle emissions regulations are becoming more stringent worldwide due to increasing concerns of the impact of air pollution on environmental and public health. Significant attention has been paid to develop methods to reduce the regulated emissions, such as hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), especially during low temperatures associated with engine cold starts. The main focus of my research is the synthesis of Cu and Pd ion-exchanged CHA zeolites and the characterization of their surface area (BET), crystallinity (XRD) and the degree of ion-exchange (Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy – DRIFTS). In addition, a microreactor system will be set up, that will allow the HCs/NOx traps evaluation, and the synthesized HC/NOx trap will be examined under realistic gasoline, diesel engine emissions.
