The exhaust gas-purifying catalyst of the invention contains oxide particles having interdispersed therein A crystallites that are loaded with a noble metal and B crystallites that are not loaded with a noble metal. The A crystallites loaded with a noble metal are composed of an oxide containing at least one of zirconium (Zr) and cerium (Ce). The B crystallites not loaded with a noble metal are composed of a cerium (Ce)-containing oxide which has a higher Ce content (mol %) than the oxide making up the A crystallites. The oxide particles have a specific surface area after 5 hours of heat treatment at 1,150° C. in open air of 30 m.sup.2/g or more.

An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst composition that partially oxidizes a hydrocarbon to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the catalytic activity of which is unlikely to deteriorate even when the catalyst composition is exposed to a high temperature, and the present invention provides a catalyst composition that partially oxidizes a hydrocarbon to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, including: a carrier that contains α-alumina; and a supported components that are supported on the carrier, wherein the supported components includes at least one platinum group element, a Ce oxide, and a Zr oxide.

An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst composition that partially oxidizes a hydrocarbon to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the catalytic activity of which is unlikely to deteriorate even when the catalyst composition is exposed to a high temperature, and the present invention provides a catalyst composition that partially oxidizes a hydrocarbon to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, including: a carrier that contains α-alumina; and a supported components that are supported on the carrier, wherein the supported components includes at least one platinum group element, a Ce oxide, and a Zr oxide.

A nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) removal catalyst composite is provided, comprising a N.sub.2O removal catalytic material on a substrate, the catalytic material comprising a rhodium (Rh) component supported on a ceria-based support, wherein the catalyst composite has a H.sub.2-consumption peak of about 100° C. or less as measured by hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H.sub.2-TPR). Methods of making and using the same are also provided.

Provided are an LNT layered catalyst for a lean burn gasoline engine having an enhanced NOx storage rate and capable of developing a higher NOx purification rate, and an exhaust gas purification apparatus using the same, the LNT layered catalyst including a substrate, a first catalyst layer including ceria-alumina particles carrying Pt, Pd, and BaO, and a second catalyst layer including ceria-alumina particles carrying Pt and Rh, in which a content of Pt in the first catalyst layer is 0.45 to 0.85 mass %; among Pt included in the first catalyst layer, a content proportion in a first depth region is 88 to 90 mass %, and a content proportion in a second depth region is 10 to 12 mass %; a content of Ba in the first catalyst layer is 4 to 11 mass %; and the second catalyst layer is substantially free from Ba.

An apparatus for purifying an exhaust gas passing through an exhaust pipe includes a catalytic converter disposed on the exhaust pipe. The catalytic converter is provided with a lean NOx trap (LNT) device, the LNT device having an LNT catalyst coated therein, and a catalyzed particulate filter (CPF), the CPF having a catalyst coated therein, and the LNT device and the CPF are sequentially disposed in the catalytic converter. The CPF includes at least one inlet channel extending in a longitudinal direction, the at least one inlet channel having a first end into which fluid flows and a second end which is blocked, at least one outlet channel extending in the longitudinal direction, the at least one outlet channel having a first end which is blocked and a second end through which the fluid flows out, at least one porous wall that defines a boundary between neighboring inlet and outlet channels and that extends in the longitudinal direction, and a support with the catalyst coating thereon, and the support is located within at least one among the at least one inlet channel and the at least one outlet channel.

An apparatus for purifying an exhaust gas passing through an exhaust pipe includes a catalytic converter disposed on the exhaust pipe. The catalytic converter is provided with a lean NOx trap (LNT) device, the LNT device having an LNT catalyst coated therein, and a catalyzed particulate filter (CPF), the CPF having a catalyst coated therein, and the LNT device and the CPF are sequentially disposed in the catalytic converter. The CPF includes at least one inlet channel extending in a longitudinal direction, the at least one inlet channel having a first end into which fluid flows and a second end which is blocked, at least one outlet channel extending in the longitudinal direction, the at least one outlet channel having a first end which is blocked and a second end through which the fluid flows out, at least one porous wall that defines a boundary between neighboring inlet and outlet channels and that extends in the longitudinal direction, and a support with the catalyst coating thereon, and the support is located within at least one among the at least one inlet channel and the at least one outlet channel.

A method of forming a carbon nanotube array substrate is disclosed. One embodiment comprises depositing a composite catalyst layer on the substrate, oxidizing the composite catalyst layer, reducing the oxidized composite catalyst layer, and growing the array on the composite catalyst layer. The composite catalyst layer may comprise a group VIII element and a non-catalytic element deposited onto the substrate from an alloy. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer comprises alternating layers of iron and a lanthanide, preferably gadolinium or lanthanum. The composite catalyst layer may be reused to grow multiple carbon nanotube arrays without additional processing of the substrate. The method may comprise bulk synthesis by forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of particulate substrates having a composite catalyst layer comprising the group VIII element and the non-catalytic element. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer is deposited on both sides of the substrate.

A method of forming a carbon nanotube array substrate is disclosed. One embodiment comprises depositing a composite catalyst layer on the substrate, oxidizing the composite catalyst layer, reducing the oxidized composite catalyst layer, and growing the array on the composite catalyst layer. The composite catalyst layer may comprise a group VIII element and a non-catalytic element deposited onto the substrate from an alloy. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer comprises alternating layers of iron and a lanthanide, preferably gadolinium or lanthanum. The composite catalyst layer may be reused to grow multiple carbon nanotube arrays without additional processing of the substrate. The method may comprise bulk synthesis by forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of particulate substrates having a composite catalyst layer comprising the group VIII element and the non-catalytic element. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer is deposited on both sides of the substrate.

An ammonia synthesis catalyst having high activity is obtained by having a two-dimensional electride compound having a lamellar crystal structure such as Ca.sub.2N support a transition metal. However, since the two-dimensional electride compound is unstable, the stability of the catalyst is low. In addition, in cases where a two-dimensional electride compound is used as a catalyst support, it is difficult to shape the catalyst depending on reactions since the two-dimensional electride compound has poor processability. A composite which includes a transition metal, a support and a metal amide compound, wherein the support is a metal oxide or a carbonaceous support; and the metal amide compound is a metal amide compound represented by general formula (1). M(NH.sub.2).sub.x . . . (1) (In general formula (1), M represents at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Eu; and x represents the valence of M.)