Catalysts function by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. This allows the reaction to proceed at a faster rate even at lower temperatures. Key mechanisms include:
Adsorption: Catalysts can adsorb reactants onto their surface, bringing them into close proximity and facilitating the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. Intermediate Formation: Catalysts might form transient intermediates with reactants, which decompose to yield the final products, effectively lowering the energy barrier. Orientation: Catalysts can orient reactant molecules in such a way that the effective collision frequency is increased, thus speeding up the reaction.
