Defects can have a profound impact on the performance of catalysts:
Activity: Defects can provide active sites that enhance catalytic activity. For instance, vacancies can act as active sites that facilitate chemical reactions. Selectivity: The presence of defects can alter the selectivity of a catalyst by preferentially stabilizing certain reaction intermediates. Stability: Defects can either enhance or diminish the stability of a catalyst. For instance, grain boundaries may enhance stability by providing pathways for the diffusion of reactants, but too many defects can lead to material degradation.
