What are Surface Phenomena and Why are They Important?
Surface phenomena include adsorption, desorption, and surface reactions that occur on the catalyst's surface. Adsorption involves the attachment of reactant molecules to the catalyst surface, which is often the first step in a catalytic reaction. Desorption is the release of product molecules from the surface. Understanding these processes is crucial for designing catalysts with high activity and selectivity. Surface phenomena also influence the formation of intermediates and transition states, which are key to the reaction mechanism.
