More surface area for reactions

01 / WHAT CHANGES

The mechanism

In a catalyst, reactions occur at active sites on the surface. Reducing size can increase the proportion of accessible atoms, but those atoms are not all equivalent: facets, edges and interactions with the support influence reactivity.

02 / WHERE IT LEADS

An application, in context

One research example is the oxidation of 2-propanol on supported platinum nanoparticles. Differences in reactivity have been observed between particles with similar sizes but different shapes.