catalitica

Catalítica is the feminine form of the Spanish adjective catalítico, meaning related to catalysis or catalytic processes. In chemistry and related fields, catalítica describes reactions, materials, or technologies where a catalyst influences the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Catalysis lowers the activation energy of a reaction and provides an alternative pathway that changes reaction kinetics. Catalysts participate in intermediate steps but are regenerated at the end of the cycle. The term covers homogeneous catalysis (catalyst and reactants in the same phase), heterogeneous catalysis (catalyst in a different phase, commonly a solid surface), and biocatalysis (enzymes).

Industrial applications include petroleum refining (catalytic cracking, hydrocracking), synthesis of chemicals and polymers, and environmental technologies such as catalytic converters in automobiles that reduce emissions. Catalítica also appears in discussions of energy storage and fuel-processing technologies, including electrochemical or photochemical catalysts.

Common catalytic materials include precious metals (platinum, palladium), transition metals on supports, metal oxides, and zeolites; enzymes are biological catalysts. Research focuses on improving activity, selectivity, stability, and resistance to poisons, as well as developing catalysts that use more abundant resources and lower environmental impact.

In Spanish-language science writing, catalítica is widely used as an attributive descriptor. The noun form "catálisis" is used for the process, while "catalítico" or "catalítica" describe catalysts or reactions. Some corporate or product names adopt the term as branding, though these are proper nouns rather than a distinct scientific category.