| abstract |
This invention aims to provide a direct-supporting ceramic carrier which has less catalyst deterioration due to thermal resistance, can maintain high catalyst performance for a long time, and can suppress a change in the characteristics of a substrate ceramic. According to the invention, one or more types of constituent elements of a substrate ceramic, such as cordierite, are replaced by an element such as W to form a ceramic body with at least one of elements and fine pores, each of which can directly support a catalyst component. These elements or fine pores are arranged only on an outermost surface layer section of the substrate ceramic (a depth corresponding to 1000 unit cells of the crystal lattice or less). A catalyst body is thus obtained which experiences less thermal deterioration and has little influence on the characteristics of the substrate. |