How Does Nanotechnology Enhance Catalytic Processes?
Catalysts play a crucial role in petrochemical refining, facilitating chemical reactions that convert crude oil into useful products. Nanomaterials like nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanowires offer extraordinary surface area-to-volume ratios, which significantly increase catalytic efficiency. These materials can be precisely engineered to have optimal pore sizes, enhancing the diffusion of reactants and products.
Nano-catalysts can also be designed to be more selective, targeting specific reactions and thereby reducing the formation of undesired by-products. This selectivity is crucial for improving yield and reducing the need for additional purification steps.
