| abstract |
The NOx purification performance of an electrochemical reactor is improved when an internal combustion engine is started. In an internal combustion engine, an ion conductive solid electrolyte layer, an anode layer disposed on the surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and disposed on the surface of the solid electrolyte layer and capable of holding NOx. An electrochemical reactor 45 having a cathode layer 77 is provided in the exhaust passage. The internal combustion engine 1 includes a current control device that controls the current supplied to the electrochemical reactor so as to flow from the anode layer to the cathode layer through the solid electrolyte layer. The current control device is configured to supply current to the electrochemical reactor at least temporarily even when the internal combustion engine is stopped. [Selection] Figure 5 |