What are the Effects of Particle Size on Catalytic Activity?
Particle size affects several key factors of catalytic activity:
1. Surface Area: Smaller particles have a higher surface area, which usually results in a higher number of active sites. 2. Diffusion: In smaller particles, the diffusion paths are shorter, allowing reactants to access active sites more easily. 3. Agglomeration: Very small particles have a tendency to agglomerate, which can reduce the effective surface area and cause loss of catalytic activity. 4. Thermal Stability: Smaller particles often have lower thermal stability, which can lead to sintering and deactivation at high temperatures.
