Abstract: Disclosed is an improved catalyst having a high thermal stability including a solid catalyst support having a layer of catalytically active carrier material, either as a coating on a non-catalytically active support or as particles of catalytically active carrier material, and a catalytically active metal component upon the carrier, wherein the improved aspect resides in between about 0.2 and 15% by weight of zinc in the form of zinc oxide contained in the catalytically active carrier material. Also disclosed are a method for preparing the improved catalyst and a method for utilizing the catalyst for purifying automobile exhaust gas and industrial waste gas.