Heterogeneous catalysis

Overview

ABSTRACT

This paper is an introduction to heterogeneous catalysis, presenting - the various steps involved in the reactions: diffusion of the reactant molecules from the fluid phase to the catalyst surface, their chemisorption, the surface reaction, the desorption of product molecules and their diffusion to the fluid phase, - as well as their impact on the kinetic equations. The main families of catalysts and the methods used to determine their activity, selectivity and stability are briefly presented.

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AUTHORS

Michel GUISNET: University Professor - Catalysis in Organic Chemistry, Poitiers, France - Center for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Lisbon, Portugal
Ludovic PINARD: Senior Lecturer, Member of the Board of the French Zeolite Group (GFZ) - Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP) - UMR CNRS 7285, University of Poitiers, France

INTRODUCTION

The many and varied applications of heterogeneous catalysis form one of the foundations of our technological society. This multi-disciplinary field requires knowledge of both solid catalysts, from their preparation to their characterization (particularly of their surface), and of reactions: kinetics and mechanisms, and their implementation.

This article, which briefly presents these various aspects, can therefore only be a first approach to the exciting and economically essential subject of heterogeneous catalysis. This theme is developed in detail in a large series of articles: acid-base catalysis [J 1 210] , redox catalysis [J 1 215] , bifunctional redox-acid catalysis [J 1 217][J 1 218] , mechanisms and main industrial applications of heterogeneous catalysis [J 1 200][J 1 255] , deactivation and regeneration of catalysts