Question

What are the limitations of a catalyst?

Answer 1

Catalyst:

• A catalyst is a substance that alters the rate of reaction by not undergoing any change in itself.
• Usually, a catalyst speeds up the reaction.
• A catalyst form temporary complexes or reaction intermediate and lowers the activation energy needed to start the reaction.

Limitations of a catalyst:

• Catalysts are expensive.
• Sometimes, a catalyst can be toxic in nature.
• A catalyst gets affected by impurities in a chemical reaction and stops working.
• In order to make more than one product, more catalysts are required in the chemical reaction.
• Catalysts decrease the activation energy required for a reaction to proceed, thereby increasing the rate of reaction.