What are the Challenges in Catalysis for Acrylic Acid?
Despite the advantages, there are several challenges in the catalytic production of acrylic acid:
- Catalyst Deactivation: Over time, catalysts can lose their activity due to factors like coking, sintering, and poisoning. This necessitates periodic regeneration or replacement. - Selectivity vs. Activity: Achieving a balance between high selectivity for acrylic acid and high catalytic activity can be difficult. Optimizing these parameters requires extensive research and development. - Feedstock Variability: Variations in the quality and composition of feedstocks (propylene or propane) can affect catalytic performance and require adaptable catalyst designs.