What Are the Factors Influencing Energy Barriers in Catalysis?
Several factors can influence the energy barriers in catalytic reactions: - Nature of the Catalyst: The chemical composition and structure of the catalyst play a significant role in determining the activation energy. - Reaction Conditions: Temperature, pressure, and concentration of reactants can affect the energy barrier. - Catalyst Surface Area: For heterogeneous catalysts, a larger surface area provides more active sites, potentially lowering the energy barrier. - Inhibitors and Promoters: Certain substances can either increase (inhibitors) or decrease (promoters) the activation energy.