SOx can have a detrimental impact on various catalytic processes. In many industrial applications, such as the catalytic converters in automobiles and flue gas desulfurization in power plants, the presence of SOx can lead to the deactivation of catalysts. This occurs because SOx can poison the active sites of catalysts, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. For example, in automotive catalytic converters, SOx can lead to the formation of sulfates on the catalyst surface, which inhibits the conversion of harmful emissions like CO and NOx.
