Catalyst research encompasses several key areas, including:
- Catalyst Design and Synthesis: Developing new catalysts involves designing materials with specific structures and properties to achieve desired reaction outcomes. This may include creating [nanomaterials](https://), [single-atom catalysts](https://), or [metal-organic frameworks](https://).
- Mechanistic Studies: Understanding the [mechanism](https://) of catalysis is essential for improving catalyst performance. Researchers use various spectroscopic and computational methods to study the reaction pathways and the role of the catalyst at a molecular level.
- Catalyst Characterization: Characterizing the physical and chemical properties of catalysts helps in understanding their activity, stability, and selectivity. Techniques such as [X-ray diffraction](https://), [scanning electron microscopy](https://), and [surface area analysis](https://) are commonly used.
- Environmental Catalysis: This area focuses on developing catalysts for environmental applications, such as [pollution control](https://), [carbon dioxide reduction](https://), and [water purification](https://).
