Kaolin-based cordierite for pollution control

Cordierite due to its very low coefficient of thermal expansion and good thermal shock resistance is considered as promising candidate for advanced applications. Many authors have reported the preparation of cordierite by various techniques. In the present work, cordierite has been prepared from conventional method and also through sol-gel routes followed by physical, mechanical, thermal and microstructural property evaluation. The excellent properties exhibited by kaolin-based cordierite system make them suitable for the fabrication of catalyst support. Hence, honeycomb and pellet type carriers were prepared from kaolin-based cordierite composition and their efficiency in pollution monitoring has been studied in two stroke vehicles. The results clearly indicate that kaolin-based cordierite system prepared by conventional technique could remove 78% of carbon monoxide and 82% of hydrocarbons under idling conditions.