Introduction to Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

Chemisorption is a necessary precursor to heterogeneous catalysis. Thin films and clusters provide a means of studying chemisorption experimentally, and there are theoretical approaches related to each of these avenues. Our purpose is to achieve a fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis, therefore let us begin by asking why this is considered to be an important and worthwhile goal. Few would disagree that most research on catalysis is at least partly driven by the desire to improve existing technology or to invent new technology. A principal purpose of this introductory chapter is to put the subject in context, to indicate what is known and what remains to be done, and to give an indication the most important avenues for future development. Another is to introduce basic ideas about the nature of solid catalysts, to show how they may be approximated by idealised thin film systems and to indicate what may be learned by this approach. A third objective is to give a simple overview of where we stand with respect to theories of catalysis. Finally, these themes are illustrated with some specific examples. The reader will be aware that many of the themes introduced here are developed in much greater detail in the chapters that follow this one.