Understandings:
- Reactants adsorb onto heterogeneous catalysts at active sites and the products desorb.
- Homogeneous catalysts chemically combine with the reactants to form a temporary activated complex or a reaction intermediate.
- Transition metal catalytic properties depend on the adsorption/absorption properties of the metal and the variable oxidation states.
- Zeolites act as selective catalysts because of their cage structure.
- Catalytic particles are nearly always nanoparticles that have large surface areas per unit mass.
Applications and skills:
- Explanation of factors involved in choosing a catalyst for a process.
- Description of how metals work as heterogeneous catalysts.
- Description of the benefits of nanocatalysts in industry.
Guidance:
- Consider catalytic properties such as selectivity for only the desired product, efficiency, ability to work in mild/severe conditions, environmental impact and impurities.
- The use of carbon nanocatalysts should be covered.
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International-mindedness:
- Palladium, platinum and rhodium are common catalysts that are used in catalytic converters. Because of the value of these metals, catalytic converter thefts are on the rise.
Theory of knowledge:
- Some materials used as effective catalysts are toxic and harmful to the environment. Is environmental degradation justified in the pursuit of knowledge?
Utilization:
- Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
- Topics 6.1 and 16.1—reaction mechanisms
- Topic 10.2—esterification and hydrogenation reactions
- Topic 16.2—activation energy
- Option B.10—hydrogenation of fats
Aims:
- Aims 1 and 3: Investigate various catalysts for both the benefits and risks.
- Aim 6: Experiments could include investigating the decomposition of potassium sodium tartrate with cobalt chloride and the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide with manganese (IV) oxide.
- Aim 6: An ion exchange using zeolite could be explored.
- Aim 7: Virtual experiments and simulations involving nanoparticles as catalysts could be done here.
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