HELLO, GOOD DAY. I’M OLIVER MENDOZA TO PRESENT CATALYSIS.

Diba some of us didn’t know very well what is catalysis right? How they works, paano sila nakakatulong
in the occurring reactions, and what are mechanism of catalysis, how catalysis is very important into
environment how they also affect industry revolution. What does a catalyst do in a chemical reaction?
So today we will dive in into a more and comprehensive information of what catalysis is.

Catalysis refers to the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by using a substance called a
catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by reducing the activation energy
required for the reaction to take place, without itself undergoing any permanent change or being
consumed in the reaction. Catalysis is important in many industrial processes as it can reduce the
amount of energy and time required for a reaction to occur, increase the yield of desired products, and
reduce the amount of waste produced. Catalysis can occur through a variety of mechanisms, including
surface catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, and enzyme catalysis.

Homogeneous catalysis

Homogeneous catalysis is a type of catalysis in which the catalyst is in the same phase (usually a liquid or
gas) as the reactants. In homogeneous catalysis, the catalyst is uniformly distributed throughout the
reaction mixture and interacts with the reactants to form an intermediate complex, which then
undergoes a chemical transformation to form the final product.

Heterogeneous catalysis is a type of catalysis in which the catalyst is in a different phase than the
reactants. Typically, the catalyst is a solid, and the reactants are either gases or liquids. Heterogeneous
catalysis is widely used in many industrial processes, such as petroleum refining, the production of
chemicals, and the conversion of biomass to fuels. The most common types of solid catalysts used in
heterogeneous catalysis are metals and metal oxides, supported on porous materials such as alumina,
silica, or zeolites. The catalyst provides a surface for the reactants to interact and form an intermediate
species, which then undergoes a chemical reaction to form the final product.

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are typically
proteins that can facilitate chemical reactions by reducing the activation energy required for the reaction
to occur. Enzymes work by binding to reactant molecules, or substrates, and bringing them together in a
specific orientation that facilitates the reaction. This reduces the energy required for the reaction to
occur, allowing it to happen more quickly than it would otherwise. Enzymes are highly specific and
typically only catalyze one particular reaction or class of reactions. The specificity of an enzyme is due to
its unique three-dimensional structure, which allows it to interact only with certain substrates and to
catalyze only specific reactions.
An example of catalysis is the reaction between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the enzyme catalase,
which catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen:

2 H2O2 → 2 H2O + O2

This reaction occurs naturally in living organisms, and catalase is found in many types of cells, including
liver cells. Without catalase, the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide would occur too slowly to prevent the
accumulation of toxic levels of hydrogen peroxide in the body.

Another example of catalysis is the reaction between carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) to form
carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase:

CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3

Carbonic anhydrase is found in red blood cells and is important for regulating the pH of the blood.
Without carbonic anhydrase, the reaction between CO2 and H2O would occur too slowly to maintain the
proper pH balance in the blood.

Impregnation refers to a process in which a material is infused or soaked with another substance. The
purpose of impregnation can vary, but it is often done to improve the material's properties or to impart
new characteristics.

Sol-gel is a chemical process used to produce solid materials from a colloidal solution or "sol." The sol is
a liquid containing solid particles in suspension, typically composed of metal oxides or other inorganic
compounds. The sol-gel process involves several steps, including the formation of a sol, gelation, and
aging. During the gelation stage, the sol is transformed into a three-dimensional network of
interconnected particles or a "gel." This gel is then aged or dried to remove any remaining solvents and
to increase its mechanical strength. Sol-gel technology has many applications in materials science,
including the production of ceramics, glasses, and thin films. The process allows for the precise control of
the size, shape, and composition of the solid particles, which can lead to materials with unique
properties.

Co-precipitation is a process used in green chemistry for the synthesis of nanoparticles, particularly
metal nanoparticles. It involves the simultaneous precipitation of two or more metal salts or oxides from
a solution, resulting in the formation of a mixed metal oxide or hydroxide. The co-precipitation process is
considered a green chemistry technique because it avoids the use of hazardous solvents and reduces
waste. The process can be performed in water or other non-toxic solvents, and the resulting
nanoparticles can be easily separated from the solution and purified without the need for additional
hazardous chemicals.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a process used to deposit thin films of materials onto a substrate.
The process involves the use of a vaporized precursor, which reacts and deposits onto a heated substrate
to form a thin film. While CVD is not typically considered a green chemistry technique, there are some
approaches to CVD that can be more environmentally friendly. One approach to greener CVD is the use
of environmentally friendly precursors, such as carbon dioxide or water. These precursors can be used
instead of more hazardous chemicals, reducing the environmental impact of the process. Additionally,
the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to provide the energy needed for the
CVD process can also make it more environmentally friendly.

Catalysis plays a crucial role in green chemistry by enabling chemical reactions to be performed under
milder conditions, reducing waste, and increasing the efficiency of chemical processes. Here are some of
the roles of catalysis in green chemistry:

Reducing energy requirements: Catalysis can reduce the energy requirements of chemical reactions by
lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to occur. This means that chemical reactions can
occur at lower temperatures and pressures, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Reducing waste: Catalysis can promote more selective reactions, resulting in less waste and fewer
byproducts. Catalysts can also enable reactions to occur more efficiently, reducing the amount of
reactants needed to produce a desired product.

Enabling the use of renewable resources: Catalysis can enable the use of renewable resources, such as
biomass, as a feedstock for chemical reactions. Catalysts can convert biomass into useful chemicals and
fuels, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions.

Enabling the use of safer and more sustainable chemicals: Catalysts can enable the use of safer and
more sustainable chemicals in chemical processes. For example, catalysts can enable the use of water as
a solvent instead of toxic organic solvents, reducing the environmental impact of chemical processes.
Enabling new reactions and processes: Catalysts can enable new reactions and processes that were
previously not possible or were too energy-intensive. This can lead to the development of new materials
and technologies with improved environmental performance.

Overall, catalysis plays a crucial role in enabling more sustainable and efficient chemical processes,
making it a key area of research in green chemistry.