Abstract: A catalyst (3) for purifying an automotive exhaust gas, in which inner and outer catalytic layers (5,6), each of which has a base material and a catalytic material held by the base material, are stratified on a honeycomb-type carrier (4). In the catalyst (3), the inner catalytic layer (5) contains a palladium component as the catalytic component. Further the inner catalytic layer (5) contains a nickel oxide component for preventing poisoning of the palladium component. On the other hand, though the outer catalytic layer (6) contains a rhodium component as the catalytic component, it does not contain a palladium component nor a nickel oxide component.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst is generally used in an automotive exhaust system. This catalyst has a sufficient total content of noble metal active species and is prevented from heat deterioration so that the activity of the noble metal active species can be well utilized at low temperatures to enable the catalyst to exhibit improved purification performance at the low temperatures. The catalyst comprises a first catalyst layer formed on the surface of a honeycomb-shaped carrier and containing Pd (palladium) and alumina (.gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3), and a second catalyst layer formed on the outer surface of the first catalyst layer and containing Pd and ceria (CeO.sub.2).

Abstract: A catalyst for purifying exhaust gas, comprising a catalyst carrier, a first coating layer formed on a surface of the catalyst carrier and mainly consisting of active alumina oxide containing platinum and rhodium and a second coating layer formed on a surface of the first coating layer and mainly consisting of palladium and composite powder including zirconium oxide and lanthanum oxide fixed on a surface of cerium oxide, and a method of manufacturing the catalyst.