The effectiveness of a catalyst is often a balance between activity, selectivity, and stability. Pore size influences these factors in several ways:
Activity: Smaller pores can enhance activity by increasing the surface area, but they may also hinder the diffusion of larger reactant molecules. Selectivity: The pore size can affect the selectivity by excluding larger molecules from entering the pores, thereby favoring certain reactions over others. Stability: A well-distributed pore structure can enhance the mechanical stability of the catalyst, reducing the likelihood of pore blockage and catalyst deactivation.
