Abstract

Heterogeneous Molecular Catalysis in Electrochemical Reactions Volcanic tafel plots and catalysis tafel plots

Author(s): Henry Jenner

By plotting the kinetics of the catalytic reaction against the stabilisation free energy of the primary intermediate of the catalytic process, we study the reasons for the occurrence or non-occurrence of volcanoes in the context of heterogeneous molecular catalysis. Modern energy challenges, particularly those involving small molecules like water, hydrogen, oxygen, proton, and carbon dioxide, are a strong incentive for such research, as are homogeneous molecular catalysis and catalysis by surface active metallic sites. This is especially true in the case of heterogeneous molecular catalysis, which is typically preferred over homogeneous molecular catalysis by the same molecules, if only for chemical separation and the creation of electrolytic cells.