Fuel Technology for Cleaner Air
What is a Catalyst ?
A Catalyst is any substance that works to accelerate a chemical reaction. Catalysts can be organic, synthetic or metal. The process by which the catalyst speeds up or slows down a reaction is called catalysis.
For any process to occur, energy known as activation energy is required. Without the help of a catalyst the amount of energy needed to spark a particular reaction is high. When the catalyst is present the activation energy is lowered, thereby making the reaction happen much more efficiently. The catalyst generally works by either changing the structure of a molecule or by bonding to reactant molecules causing them to combine, react and release a product or energy. For example, a catalyst is required for oxygen and hydrogen gases to combine and form water.
