The precise reasons why catalysts work are often still a mystery to scientists. Image by Rees Rankin, Center for Nanoscale Materials. Finding the perfect catalyst to disintegrate cellulose would make biofuels cheaper and more viable as a renewable energy source.Ĭomputational modeling produces both prospects for better catalysts and beautiful images, like this model of a platinum catalyst interacting with oxygen atoms (red) and hydrogen atoms (white). All biomass-corn, switchgrass, trees-contains a tough compound called cellulose, which has to be broken down to make fuel. That’s the equivalent of more than 500 million barrels of gasoline.Ĭatalysts are also the key to unlocking biofuels. every year goes into converting ethane and propane into alkenes, which are used to make plastics, among other things. Three percent of all of the energy used in the U.S. And applying catalysts on a grand scale could save the world a lot of energy. For example, the same silver catalyst actually produces fewer toxic by-products-making the whole reaction more environmentally friendly.Īt its heart, a catalyst is a way to save energy. Better catalysts can help solve that problem. Industrial manufacturing processes for plastic and other essential items often produce nasty by-products which can pose hazards to human health and the environment. (The catalyst turns propylene into propylene oxides, which is the first step in making antifreeze and other products.) It can make things greener. Last year, an Argonne team including materials scientist Larry Curtiss found that one silver catalyst is better at its task when it’s in nanoparticles just a few atoms wide. Even the size of the catalyst particle can change the way a reaction runs.
In most cases, you need just a tiny amount of a catalyst to make a difference.
They are truly a fundamental part of life. Many proteins in your body are actually catalysts called enzymes, which do everything from creating signals that move your limbs to helping digest your food. Catalysts are integral in making plastics and many other manufactured items.Įven the human body runs on catalysts. Catalysis is the backbone of many industrial processes, which use chemical reactions to turn raw materials into useful products. What is catalysis?Ĭatalysts speed up a chemical reaction by lowering the amount of energy you need to get one going. They turn milk into yogurt and petroleum into plastic milk jugs, CDs and bicycle helmets. They clean your contact lenses every night. Catalysts break down paper pulp to produce the smooth paper in your magazine. All the parts of your sandwich-bread, cheddar cheese, roast turkey. Almost everything in your daily life depends on catalysts: cars, Post-It notes, laundry detergent, beer.
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