GROWTH AND STRUCTURE OF SUPPORTED METAL CATALYST PARTICLES

The applications of supported metal catalysts vary widely, from selective hydrogenation in the fine chemicals industry to the control of vehicle emissions. Yet many basic questions about the structure, activity, and durability of these catalysts remain unanswered. For example, there is still much uncertainty about the mechanism of metal particle growth, or sintering, which is a major cause of catalyst deactivation. The factors which control particle surface structure, and thus affect reactivity, are also poorly understood. Progress in these areas would provide a basis for a more rational approach to the design of selective and durable catalysts. This article sets out to review current understanding of the growth and structure of supported metal catalyst particles, and to discuss the extent to which experimental observations can be reconciled with theoretical predictions. (C) 1995 The Institute of Materials and ASM International.