How Do Metal Oxide Surfaces Enhance Catalytic Activity?
Metal oxide surfaces enhance catalytic activity through several mechanisms:
1. Surface Defects and Active Sites: The presence of defects such as oxygen vacancies can create active sites that are highly reactive. These sites can adsorb and activate reactant molecules more effectively. 2. Redox Properties: Metal oxides with variable oxidation states can participate in redox reactions, cycling between different oxidation states to facilitate electron transfer processes. 3. Acid-Base Properties: The acidic or basic nature of metal oxide surfaces can influence the adsorption and activation of reactants, making them suitable for a variety of catalytic reactions.
