Session Two, Surface Science Studies in Catalysis

Abstract

Mme Bordes opened the session with an account of the surface reactivity of oxides. In the general discussion she returned to the question of language differences between the various branches of heterogeneous catalysis [1], On the basis the presentations given up to that point she proposed a rough subdivision into three groups employing not only different languages but also concepts, namely those working on metal surfaces, oxide surfaces and zeolites. She illustrated her point by giving some examples of terms used in one field which had different names in the others. For instance the use of the term ‘adsorbate induced reconstruction’ in metal catalysis was claimed to resemble in some aspects the concept behind’ surface reactivity’ in oxide catalysis, which could be a source of misunderstanding. Mme Bordes continued by stating that, contrary to what one might expect from the well-defined structures of zeolites and their good accessibility to analysis, they are much less well-defined, mainly since the inside and the outside of zeolite crystals may be very different and may contribute to unknown relative extents to catalysis. The impression gained from this discussion was that it is not so much the different languages used in the different disciplines which hinder proper communication, but rather the differences in the tacit assumptions made. These assumptions are based on a wealth of heuristic experience derived from observations made over a long period of time, but it appears difficult for workers in a different area to judge their significance and hence to develop a common starting point for discussion.