Platinum Metals Review - Volume 24, Issue 4, 1980

The concept of an internal combustion engine where the oxidation of the fuel is brought about with the aid of a catalyst offers the advantages of a stratified charge engine without the disadvantages. It should give good economy and low emissions of exhaust pollutants. Several such catalytic engines have been built and run, and test results are promising; in particular, one engine shows better fuel economy than the conventional petrol engine coupled with lower hydrocarbon emissions than either petrol or diesel engines.

At four yearly intervals the International Congress on Catalysis provides an opportunity to identify the major areas of growth and importance in catalysis, particularly where the noble metals are involved. This article reviews some of the many papers on catalysis by the platinum metals that were presented at the latest congress.

Notable progress has been made by Rustenburg Platinum Mines in their efforts to increase mechanisation and to improve efficiency during mining operations; a brief account of some aspects of this work is presented here. It is anticipated confidently that such means will help them to maintain supplies of the platinum group metals at prices which both encourage demand and ensure supply.

The 1980 Biennial Symposium jointly organised by the Inorganic Divisions of the Canadian Institute of Chemistry and the American Chemical Society, held in Guelph, Ontario, from the 5th to 7th June, was entitled “Catalytic Aspects of Metal Phosphine Complexes”. This article concentrates on the contributions presented there that were particularly concerned with the platinum group metals.

The early inhabitants of South America had recognised platinum and had used it for making ornaments well before the Spanish Conquest. Their techniques and ability in metal working are reviewed, based upon archaeological evidence and modern metallographic examination.