What is Catalysis?
Catalysis is a process that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a
catalyst. The catalyst is not consumed in the reaction and can be used repeatedly. Catalysts work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower
activation energy.
Wilhelm Ostwald: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his work on catalysis, chemical equilibria, and reaction velocities.
Paul Sabatier: Nobel laureate in 1912, known for his work on the hydrogenation of organic compounds in the presence of finely divided metals.
Irving Langmuir: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1932 for his discoveries and investigations in surface chemistry, which are fundamental to heterogeneous catalysis.
Gerhard Ertl: Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2007 for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces.
John B. Goodenough: Known for his work on lithium-ion batteries, which involve catalytic processes at the electrode interfaces.
How Do Catalysts Influence Chemical Reactions?
Catalysts influence chemical reactions by providing an alternative pathway for the reaction to occur, which has a lower activation energy. This allows more reactant molecules to have enough energy to reach the transition state, thereby increasing the reaction rate. Catalysts can be classified into two main types:
homogeneous and
heterogeneous catalysts.
Petroleum refining: Catalysts are used in processes such as catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, and reforming to convert crude oil into valuable products like gasoline and diesel.
Chemical manufacturing: Catalysts are essential in the production of chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and sulfuric acid.
Environmental protection: Catalysts are used in catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles and in industrial processes to treat waste gases.
Pharmaceuticals: Catalysis is crucial in the synthesis of many pharmaceutical compounds, improving yields and selectivities.
Renewable energy: Catalysts play a key role in the production of biofuels and in the development of fuel cells and hydrogen production technologies.
Nanocatalysis: The use of nanoparticles as catalysts to achieve higher surface areas and unique catalytic properties.
Biocatalysis: The use of natural catalysts, such as enzymes, to conduct environmentally friendly and highly selective reactions.
Photocatalysis: Catalysts that use light energy to drive chemical reactions, with applications in solar energy conversion and environmental remediation.
Electrocatalysis: Catalysts that facilitate electrochemical reactions, important for energy storage and conversion technologies like fuel cells and batteries.
Computational catalysis: The use of computational methods to design and understand new catalysts, accelerating the discovery process.
Follow leading
scientific journals such as the Journal of Catalysis, ACS Catalysis, and Catalysis Today.
Attend conferences and workshops like the International Congress on Catalysis and the North American Catalysis Society Meeting.
Join professional organizations such as the
Catalysis Society or the American Chemical Society's Division of Catalysis Science and Technology.
Engage in online communities and forums dedicated to catalysis research.
