Several factors can cause material damage in catalysis, including:
Thermal Degradation: High operational temperatures can lead to sintering, where small particles agglomerate into larger ones, reducing the surface area available for catalysis. Poisoning: The catalyst surface can be poisoned by impurities or reactants, which bind strongly to active sites and block them. Mechanical Wear: Physical abrasion or erosion can occur, especially in fluidized bed reactors, leading to the loss of catalyst material. Chemical Corrosion: Reactive gases or liquids can corrode the catalyst, particularly in harsh chemical environments. Hydrothermal Aging: Exposure to steam at high temperatures can lead to the hydrolysis of catalytic materials.
