Capping agents are integral to catalysis for several reasons:
1. Stability: They provide steric or electrostatic stabilization to nanoparticles, preventing them from coalescing. 2. Size and Shape Control: The properties of nanoparticles, such as size and shape, which directly affect their catalytic performance, can be finely tuned by selecting appropriate capping agents. 3. Surface Functionalization: Capping agents can introduce functional groups to the nanoparticle surface, enhancing selectivity and activity in specific reactions.
