Effect of a Catalyst

In chemistry, the catalyst is vital for understanding the basic concept of reaction. Catalyst is a substance that promotes the reaction rate by changing the path of reaction. Most of the catalyst is used to speed up or decrease the speed of any reaction between some particular molecules. However, suppose we study more about catalysts. In that case, we will find that a catalyst is used to build or break the chemical bonds of any atoms presented in the molecules of different compounds or elements. 

Catalyst

The catalyst is a component that makes the molecules react, ease the whole reaction process and make it efficient.The critical characteristic of catalysts is that they do not initiate any chemical reaction. Therefore, it does not get consumed in a reaction, and it tends to react with reactants. Catalysts can be solid, liquid, or gaseous, and different types of catalysts are available. Some of the catalysts include metal. Some include oxides like sulphates, halides, etc. Some semi-metallic elements such as aluminium, boron, silicon are also used as catalysts for some reactions. Liquid or gaseous elements in pure form can also be used as a catalyst. 

The reactions that involve catalysts are known as catalyst reactions. Catalyst reaction is the reaction between catalysts and reactants. However, when a reactant table places chemical intermediates and reactors, catalysts used to be regenerated. 

What is the rate of reaction?

The reaction rate means the reaction speed at which reactants change into products. Some components or reactions are immediate, whereas some reactants react slowly to reach equilibrium. 

Various factors affect the rate of reaction, such as

• Type nature of the reactants and the element present in the reaction process.
• The physical state, the numbers of reactants, and the complexity of the reactions are some factors that affect the reaction rate.
• The reaction rate used to be slower in liquids than gas and slower in solids compared with liquids. The size of the reactants also matters. 
• The rate of recants tends to increase with the increase of the concentration of the reactants.
• Concentration on the reactants is directly proportional to the rate of reaction. 

However, the effect of catalyst on the reaction rate is also significant to denote. 

Effect of a Catalyst

The rate of reaction can be affected in many ways; however, the effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction is an important question that needs to be discussed to understand the importance of catalysts. 

Catalyst components increase reaction speed by being present in the reaction process without being consumed in the process. A catalyst increases the energy of the reactants present within it to make the ratio faster. Raising the reactants’ concentration boosts the reaction’s power and speeds the process. To make any chemical reaction possible, there must be some amount of molecules greater than or equal to the activation energy. For example, if there are 100 million particles present, then 100 will react, and similarly, if there are 200 million particles present, then 200 will react. The reaction rate can also be doubled by doubling the concentration, and catalysts are used to make that process. 

Also, catalysts affect the reaction rate by affecting the temperature, surface, pressure, etc. The presence or absence of catalysts highly affects the reaction speed. A catalyst increases the reaction rate by lowering the activation energy needed for a reaction to occur. A catalyst does not change itself or destroy itself by presenting into a reaction. It just acts neutral to speed up the speeds. For example, H2 and O2 do not naturally combine. It combines in the presence of a small quality of platinum. This platinum acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction rate. This is the effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction. 

Examples of catalyst reactions

Here are some examples of the effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction,

Types of reaction

The reaction between sulphuric acid and zinc

Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

Catalyst used : Copper sulphate solution

Effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction : Increase in rate of reaction. (positive catalyst)

Decomposition of sodium chlorate solution

2NaOCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + O2(g)

Catalyst used : Manganese oxide

Effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction :Increase in rate of reaction. (positive catalyst)

Decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide solution

2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(I) + O2(g)

Catalyst used : Lead oxide or manganese oxide

Effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction :Increase in rate of reaction. (positive catalyst)

Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide solution

2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(I) + O2(g)

Catalyst used : Propane-1,2,3-triol (glycerine)

Effect of catalysts on the rate of reaction: Decrease in rate of reaction (negative catalyst)

Conclusion 

Catalysis are chemicals that change the rate of a chemical reaction by changing the process’s path. A catalyst is usually used to speed up or raise the rate of a reaction. On the other hand, catalysts are utilised to break or reestablish chemical bonds among atoms in molecules of various elements and compounds. Catalysts, in essence, stimulate molecules to interact, making the entire reaction mechanism easier and quicker.