Paaras Thakur

Surface Chemistry
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Example Which of the following interface can never be obtained?

(a) Liquid–liquid
(b) Solid–solid
(c) Liquid–gas
(d) Gas–gas
Example When a chalk stick is dipped in ink, then

(a) the coloured pigments in the ink get absorbed in the chalk.
(b) the solvent get adsorbed at the surface of chalk.
(c) inside of the chalk will remain as white while the surface will have coloured
pigments.
(d) inside of the chalk will have coloured pigments while the surface will remain
white.
Example Chromatography is a technique based on

(a) Solubilities of solute

(b) Adsorption of solute
(c) Chemical adsorption followed by dispersion
(d) Differential adsorption of different constituents of a mixture
Example Which of the following is not a characteristic of chemisorption?

(a) Adsorption is irreversible.

(b) Adsorption decreases with increase in temperature.
(c) Adsorption is specific.
(d) Adsorption increases with increase of surface area.
Example Which gas will be adsorbed on a solid to greater extent?

(a) A gas having non-polar molecules.

(b) A gas having higher critical temperature.
(c) A gas having lowest critical temperature.
(d) A gas having higher critical pressure.
● A catalyst does not change the enthalpy, entropy and free energy of a reaction.
● There is a particular temperature at which the efficiency of a catalyst a
maximum this temperature is known as optimum temperature.
● A catalyst does not affect the final position of equilibrium, it just alters the time
taken to reach equilibrium.
 Promoter

The activity of a catalyst can often be increased by addition of a small quantity of

a second material. This second substance is either not a catalyst itself for the
reaction or it may be a feeble catalyst.

A substance which, though itself not a catalyst, promotes the activity of a

catalyst is called a promoter.

Molybdenum (Mo) or aluminium oxide (Al2O3) promotes the activity of iron

catalyst in the Haber synthesis for the manufacture of ammonia.
 How Promoter works

The theory of promotion of a catalyst is not clearly understood. Presumably :

(1) Change of Lattice Spacing. The lattice spacing of the catalyst is changed thus
enhancing the spaces between the catalyst particles. The absorbed molecules of
the reactant (say H2) are further weakened and cleaved. This makes are reaction
go faster.
 How Promoter works

(2) Increase of Peaks and Cracks. The presence of the promoter increases the
peaks and cracks on the catalyst surface. This increases the concentration of the
reactant molecules and hence the rate of reaction.
 Catalytic Poisoning

Very often a heterogeneous catalyst in rendered ineffective by the presence of

small amounts of impurities in the reactants.

A substance which destroys the activity of the catalyst to accelerate a reaction,

is called a poison and the process is called Catalytic poisoning.

(1) The platinum catalyst used in the oxidation of sulphur dioxide (Contact
Process), is poisoned by arsenic oxide (As2O3)
AUTOCATALYSIS When one of the products of reaction itself acts as a
catalyst for that reaction
 AutoCatalysis

Hydrolysis of an Ester. The hydrolysis of ethyl acetate forms acetic acid

(CH3COOH) and ethanol. Of these products, acetic acid acts as a catalyst for the
reaction.
 INDUCED When a chemical reaction enhances the rate of another
CATALYSIS
chemical reaction.
 Adsorption Theory of Heterogeneous Catalyst

This theory explain the mechanism of heterogeneous catalyst.

The mechanism involve 5 steps.

1. Diffusion of reactant to the surface of the catalyst.

2. Adsorption of reactant molecules on the surface of the catalyst.
3. Formation of activated intermediate.
4. Formation of reactions product on the catalyst surface.
5. Diffusion of reactions product from the catalyst surface or desorption.
Adsorption Theory of Heterogeneous Catalyst
 Important features of solid catalysts

(a) Activity

The activity of a catalyst depends upon the strength of chemisorption

to a large extent. The reactants must get adsorbed reasonably strongly on to the
catalyst to become active. However, they must not get adsorbed so strongly
that they are immobilised and other reactants are left with no space on the
catalyst’s surface for adsorption. It has been found that for hydrogenation
reaction, the catalytic activity increases from Group 5 to Group 11 metals with
maximum activity being shown by groups 7-9 elements of the
periodic table.
 Important features of solid catalysts

(b) Selectivity

The selectivity of a catalyst is its ability to direct a reaction to yield a particular

product. For example, starting with H2 and CO, and using different catalysts, we
get different products.
 Shape-selective Catalysis by Zeolites

The catalytic reaction that depends on the pore

structure of the catalyst and the size of reactant
and product molecules is called shape-selective
catalysis.
● Zeolites are microporous aluminosilicates
with honey-comb like structures.

● Zeolites are widely used in petrochemical

industries for cracking of hydrocarbons and
isomerization.
Eg. ZSM-5 converts alcohols directly into
gasoline.
 Enzyme Catalysis

Enzymes are complex nitrogenous organic compounds which are produced from
living plants and animals.

They are actually protein molecules of high molar mass and form colloidal solution
in water.

They catalyse biochemical reactions and are very effective catalysts. They are
called biochemical catalysts.
 Characteristics of enzyme catalysts

● Most highly efficient

● Highly specific nature
● Highly active under optimum temperature.(298-310K)
● Highly active under optimum pH (5-7)
● Better activity in the presence of activators(eg: Na+, Mn2+, Co2+) and
coenzymes.
Mechanism of Enzyme Catalysis
Example Which one of the following is not the example of homogeneous catalysis?

(a) Formation of SO3 in the chamber process

(b) Formation of SO3 in the contact process
(c) Hydrolysis of an ester in presence of acid
(d) Decomposition of KClO3 in the presence of MnO2
Example The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide can be slowed down by addition of
a small amount of acetamide. The latter act as

(a) Inhibitor
(b) Promoter
(c) Moderator
(d) Poison
Example Which of the following types of metals make the most efficient catalysts?

(a) Transition metals

(b) Alkali metals
(c) Alkaline earth metals
(d) Radioactive metals
Example In the Haber process of synthesis of NH3

(a) Mo acts as a catalyst and Fe as a promoter

(b) Fe acts as a catalyst and Mo as a promoter
(c) Fe acts as inhibitor and Mo as a catalyst
(d) Fe acts as promoter and Mo as autocatalyst
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