The primary purposes of spiking experiments in catalysis include:
1. Mechanistic Studies: By introducing a spike, researchers can trace the pathway of the reaction, identify intermediates, and understand the role of each component in the catalytic cycle. 2. Active Site Identification: Spikes can help pinpoint the location and nature of active sites on the catalyst surface. 3. Performance Optimization: Spiking can reveal how different substances affect the efficiency and selectivity of the catalyst, aiding in the optimization of catalytic processes. 4. Deactivation Studies: Understanding how and why catalysts deactivate over time by introducing poisons or inhibitors as spikes.
