Why are Desorption Energies Important in Catalysis?
In heterogeneous catalysis, the adsorption and desorption steps are essential parts of the catalytic cycle. The efficiency and selectivity of a catalyst can be significantly influenced by the desorption energy. For instance, if the desorption energy is too high, the product molecules may remain adsorbed on the catalyst surface, leading to catalyst deactivation. Conversely, if the desorption energy is too low, reactants may desorb before undergoing the necessary chemical transformation.
