Browsing: Catalysts

Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed or permanently altered themselves. They work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, thereby increasing the rate at which reactants are converted into products. Catalysts are crucial in various industrial processes and are extensively used in the manufacturing of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. They also play a vital role in environmental technology, particularly in reducing pollutants in vehicle exhaust. For example, catalytic converters in cars transform harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons into less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. Catalysts can be categorized broadly into two types: homogeneous catalysts, which exist in the same phase (solid, liquid, or gas) as the reactants, and heterogeneous catalysts, which are in a different phase. Enzymes are a common example of biological catalysts that facilitate biochemical reactions within living organisms, illustrating the broad applicability and importance of catalysts in both nature and technology.