How are Catalysts Developed and Tested in the Laboratory?
The development and testing of catalysts involve several steps:
Synthesis: Catalysts are synthesized using various chemical methods, such as precipitation, impregnation, sol-gel, and hydrothermal synthesis. Characterization: Newly synthesized catalysts are characterized to determine their physical and chemical properties. Techniques such as XRD, BET surface area analysis, and XPS are commonly used. Activity Testing: The catalytic activity is tested under controlled conditions to evaluate its performance. Reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, and reactant concentrations are varied to optimize the catalyst. Stability and Reusability: The stability and reusability of the catalyst are tested by conducting repeated cycles of the reaction and monitoring any loss in activity.
