How Does D Band Theory Explain Catalytic Activity?
The catalytic activity of a metal can be linked to its d band center, which is the average energy of the electrons in the d band. Metals with a d band center closer to the Fermi level tend to have stronger interactions with adsorbates. This can lead to either beneficial or detrimental effects on catalysis. For instance, if the interaction is too strong, the reactants may become too tightly bound, making it difficult for the reaction to proceed. Conversely, if the interaction is too weak, the reactants may not adsorb effectively, resulting in poor catalytic performance.
