Several criteria must be considered to ensure the tracer is suitable for the intended catalysis study:
Chemical Inertness: The tracer should not react with the catalyst or other reactants in the system to avoid interfering with the reaction being studied. High Detectability: The tracer should be easily detectable and distinguishable from other components in the system. Techniques like mass spectrometry or NMR spectroscopy can be used for this purpose. Physical Properties: The tracer's physical properties, such as phase, boiling point, and solubility, should be similar to those of the reactants to ensure it mimics their behavior within the system. Non-Toxicity: The tracer should be non-toxic and safe to handle, especially in laboratory settings. Stability: The tracer must be stable under the reaction conditions to provide consistent and reliable data.
