Several strategies can be employed to control the properties of catalysts:
1. Material Composition: The choice of metals, oxides, or other materials can significantly influence catalytic properties. For example, using a combination of metals in bimetallic catalysts can enhance activity and selectivity. 2. Support Materials: Catalysts are often dispersed on supports like alumina or silica to increase their surface area and stability. 3. Promoters and Inhibitors: Adding small amounts of certain substances can enhance or suppress catalytic activity, respectively. 4. Morphological Control: Techniques such as nanostructuring can be used to control the size and shape of catalyst particles, impacting their surface area and active sites. 5. Functionalization: Modifying the surface with specific functional groups can improve selectivity for certain reactions.
