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Functions And Impacts Of Catalytic Research

Decent Essays

Heterogeneous Catalysis
Catalysis is a part of chemistry familiar to many people inside, and outside, the world of science. Catalysts are used in many processes vital for our day to day lives, from food processing to waste disposal; even inside our bodies enzymes are functioning as catalysts in many of the reactions essential for our survival. This review will discuss some of the uses and impacts of catalytic research, particularly heterogeneous catalysis, the work of Gabor Somorjai and modern problems in heterogeneous catalysis.
The idea of catalysis was first put forward by the Scottish scientist Elizabeth Fulhume in 1794.1 A catalyst is a substance that will provide an alternative pathway for a reaction, increasing the rate of reaction, …show more content…

AES relies on the detection of electrons emitted from surface atoms when excited by X-Ray, electron or ion bombardment.4 In HREELS, low energy electrons interact with the surface of the analyte causing inelastic reflection of electrons. Inelastic reflection describes reflection of a particle from a surface where the energy of the incident particle is either lost or increased. Typically (though not necessarily) in HREELS, this is due to the absorption of energy by surface atoms causing vibrational excitation. The energy of the reflected particle can be measured and used to calculate the energy absorbed by the surface atoms.5 Therefore this technique gives information on bonding and structure of surfaces and adsorbed molecules.4
Gabor Somorjai and his team developed a new instrument using techniques such as AES and HREELS in combination with gas chromatography, to characterise catalyst surfaces as well as determining the kinetics of catalytic surface reactions.4
Lattices will give different surface structures depending on the angle that they’re cut at (relative to the unit cell). Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show

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