Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis is based on the ability of solid surfaces to form and break bonds with molecules from their surroundings. Heterogeneous catalysis is a broad term that refers to a variety of catalytic substances and industrial processes used to make materials, chemicals, and fuels. Because heterogeneous catalysis lies at the heart of the chemicals and energy sectors, developing active, selective, and energy efficient heterogeneous catalytic processes is critical to a sustainable future. Based on insights from fundamental investigations, the design, development, and implementation of robust and selective heterogeneous catalytic processes could have a huge positive impact on the globe. Because of its ability to accelerate a chemical reaction to equilibrium and to selectively accelerate a desirable chemical reaction in a complicated chemical reaction network to equilibrium, heterogeneous catalysis by solids plays a major role in the chemical industry. During heterogeneous catalytic reactions, at least one of the reactants adsorbs on surface of catalyst with coordination-unsaturated atoms and becomes activated, after which the adsorbed reactants undergo surface reactions to form adsorbed products, which then desorb from the catalyst surfaces to yield products.