There are several reasons why scientists and engineers use bimetallic and trimetallic catalysts. Firstly, combining metals can create a unique electronic environment that modifies the catalyst's performance. This is known as the _synergistic effect_. Secondly, the presence of multiple metals can improve the catalyst's resistance to _poisoning_ and _deactivation_. Lastly, these catalysts can be specifically tailored to optimize particular reactions, making them highly versatile.
