Ultra-Trace Analysis of Palladium: State-of-the-Art and Future Challenges

Abstract

Due to the introduction of the three-way catalytic converter (TWC) in Europe in the mid-eighties, determination of platinum group elements (PGE) in environmental compartments has received elevated interest over the past two decades. While improving air quality by converting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides into the less harmful substances carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water, the use of these devices constitutes a new source for the widespread emission of PGE into the environment.