Heat blunts sharp edges of catalyst effect

15 June 2011
Chemical reactions can easily take place on the surface of a catalyst which would otherwise not occur or scarcely occur. Chemists know that the sharp edges of catalysts, in particular, are ideal reaction locations but that sometimes flat terraces are also suitable. However, it was not clear why. Dr. Irene Groot and her colleagues have found out that temperature plays a crucial role in this. The research forms a fundamental insight that can be used in the development of new catalysts. The researchers from the FOM Institute for Plasma Physics Rijnhuizen in Nieuwegein, Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam presented their results in the leading journal Angewandte Chemie.

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Crystal holder containing the catalyst investigated