Katalizy

Katalizy is the Polish term for catalysis, the process by which a substance called a catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction without itself being consumed in the overall reaction. By providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, a catalyst increases the rate at which reactants are converted to products. The concept applies across chemistry, biology, and materials science.

Catalysts can be classified by phase (homogeneous catalysts share the same phase as the reactants; heterogeneous catalysts are in a different phase) or by origin (enzymes are biocatalysts). They work through mechanisms such as adsorption of reactants on a surface, formation of reactive intermediates, and desorption of products. Real-world catalysts often operate through a sequence of elementary steps that collectively speed up the overall process while remaining chemically unchanged.

Key applications span industrial, environmental, and synthetic chemistry. Industrial ammonia production via the Haber-Bosch process uses iron-based catalysts. Automotive catalytic converters employ platinum-group metals to oxidize or reduce pollutants. In organic synthesis, catalysts enable selective hydrogenations, oxidations, and polymerizations. Enzyme-based catalysis enables many biological processes and industrial biocatalysis, offering high selectivity under mild conditions.

Ongoing research aims to improve activity and selectivity, reduce dependence on scarce metals, extend catalyst lifetimes, and develop sustainable, recyclable systems. Advances include nanostructured and single-atom catalysts, as well as redesigned enzymes and heterogeneous catalysts tailored for specific reactions.