Characteristics Of A Catalyst

As we know that all the reactions are completed in a thermodynamical way but what happened ,when some foreign materials are present during these reactions. Is the reaction proceeding in a similar way as before or there may be some changes in the reaction's rate due to the presence of these foreign materials. 
      
In the late 1800s, it was observed that a small amounts of foreign substance could greatly affect the course of chemical reaction. This observation was indeed a profound observation which led to the hypothesis that small amounts of foreign substance could greatly affect the course of a chemical reaction. 
Subsequently, it was Oswald who actually made a clearer definition of 
what a catalyst is??

CATALYSTS
A catalyst is any substance (or material), when it is added in the reaction then due to their presence in the reaction, the speed of the reaction is altered (either increased or decreased). And this reaction in which a catalyst is present, is called as catalytic reaction. This phenomena is called "Catalysis". A catalyst usually changes a reaction rate by promoting a different molecular path for the reaction.

......"A Catalyst Is A Substance That Makes A Chemical Reaction Happen Faster"........
With a catalyst, reactions occur faster and with less energy as shown in below figure;

EXAMPLES OF CATALYSTS
(1) The Iron catalyst used in the Haber-Bosch process, which is the main industrial process for ammonia production.
(2) Zeolites are used as catalyst in Cracking of petroleum.
(2) Even the human body runs on many catalysts. Many proteins in our body are actually catalysts called Enzymes, which do everything from creating signals that move our limbs to helping digest our food. They are truly a fundamental part of life.
(3) A man has been obese all his life, unable to lose weight. Then a friend dies of weight related issues. The shock of it serves as a catalyst to make him completely change his lifestyle.

Characteristics Of Catalyst
  • A catalyst can be either in solid, liquid and gas phase.
  • A small quantity of catalyst is enough to alter or speed up of any reaction. They need not be present in large quantity. 
  • The catalyst doesn't initiate any chemical reaction. (The function of the catalyst is to alter the speed of reaction rather than to start it)
  • After the whole reaction ;a catalyst can regenerated.
  • There is no change in the composition and mass of the catalyst during the chemical reaction. (Not consumed by the reaction)
  • The catalyst doesn't alter the equilibrium of the reaction. It only helps to quickly establish the reaction equilibrium. And it also catalyse both forward and backward reaction to same extent in a reversible reaction. 
  • Catalysts are specific in nature. That means every reaction is catalyzed by a specific catalyst. 
  • The catalyst participates in the chemical reactions without getting consumed. 
  • Catalyst can either a biological compound or a chemical compound. 

Catalyst Uses
Catalysts are used in variety of industries. Such as ;
(1) Chemical industries 
(2) Petrochemical industries
(3) Environmental catalysis for taking care of pollution etc. 
(4) Polymer production
(5) Power generation  
(6) Fuel cell industries
(7) Food products industries
(8) fire chemicals for pharmaceutical industries.


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