How do support effects influence the activity and selectivity of a catalyst?
Support effects influence the activity and selectivity of a catalyst by altering its dispersion, electronic properties, and metal-support interactions. Supports can provide specific surface sites that stabilize active phases, enhance reactant adsorption, or facilitate preferred reaction pathways, thereby improving catalytic efficiency and determining the selectivity of the catalytic process.
What role do support materials play in the stability and durability of catalysts?
Support materials provide structural integrity, prevent nanoparticle sintering, and disperse active sites, enhancing catalyst stability. They can also moderate reactions, prevent deactivation by poisoning, and improve thermal resistance, contributing to the overall durability of catalysts.
How do support materials impact the dispersion and morphology of catalyst nanoparticles?
Support materials influence the dispersion and morphology of catalyst nanoparticles by providing a surface for the nanoparticles to adhere to, which can prevent aggregation and enhance distribution. They can also affect the particle size and shape due to interactions between the support material and the nanoparticles during synthesis and catalytic reactions.
How do support effects alter the electronic properties of catalysts?
Support effects modify the electronic properties of catalysts by altering electron density distribution and metal-support interactions, which can influence the oxidation state, charge transfer, and electronic structure of the active sites. These changes can enhance the catalytic performance, selectivity, and stability of the catalyst.
What are the mechanisms through which support effects enhance catalytic reaction rates?
Support effects enhance catalytic reaction rates by influencing the dispersion and stabilization of active metal particles, altering electronic properties of the catalyst through metal-support interaction, and providing additional active sites or promoting synergistic effects. Additionally, supports can modify surface acidity or basicity, thus affecting reaction pathways.