Oxidation Catalysts for Cleaner Transport: Bridging Conventional Diesel and Alternative Fuel Challenges - CME Seminars Series Fall 2025

Air pollution from diesel engines remains a critical challenge due to the release of harmful pollutants during combustion that affect both the environment and human health. Addressing these issues requires advances in emission control technologies alongside the adoption of cleaner, sustainable fuels.

Improved catalyst design can deliver greater activity and stability at lower temperatures, enabling more effective removal of regulated pollutants such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons.

At the same time, bio-based additives such as bioethanol and diethyl ether can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut down on regulated emissions. However, they also generate unregulated pollutants such as aldehydes, which pose significant risks to human health and the environment, making their control an urgent priority.

By bridging advances in catalyst design for conventional diesel with strategies tailored to alternative fuels, a more integrated approach can be developed to address both regulated and unregulated emissions.

Together, these efforts underscore the importance of oxidation catalyst design and fuel integration in enabling cleaner air, advancing sustainable transportation, and contributing to broader environmental protection goals.