What is the Role of Surface Atoms in Metal Catalysts?
The surface atoms of metal catalysts are particularly important because they are directly involved in the adsorption and activation of reactants. These atoms often have unsaturated bonds, making them more reactive. The arrangement of surface atoms, known as the crystal structure, can significantly influence the catalytic activity and selectivity of the metal. For instance, different crystal facets (e.g., (111), (100), (110)) exhibit different catalytic behaviors.
