{"id":5340,"date":"2026-08-03T15:27:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T06:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=5340"},"modified":"2026-08-03T15:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T06:27:09","slug":"what-is-a-catalyst-a-simple-explanation-of-the-two-types-and-four-familiar-examples-of-its-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=5340","title":{"rendered":"What is a catalyst? A simple explanation of the two types and four familiar examples of its use."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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‘I hear about catalysts sometimes, but I don’t know what they’re actually used for.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catalysts are often heard of in chemistry classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role is simple, although it can be somewhat complicated when presented with chemical formulae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will explain catalysts in an easy-to-understand way and then introduce some familiar examples of their use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catalysts are used in familiar places such as petrol-powered cars and refrigerators, so let’s take a look at the world of chemistry together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Catalysts are substances that aid chemical reactions.
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A catalyst is a substance that alters the rate of reaction of a particular chemical reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of catalysts for reactants can lower the activation energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms, a catalyst is a substance that helps to make a chemical reaction happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are two types of catalyst<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Let\u2019s look at each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Homogeneous catalysts (ions in aqueous solution)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The catalyst is homogeneously mixed in the reactants, making it easy to control the reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The catalyst is mixed in with the solution, which makes it difficult to remove the catalyst from the products after the reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common use scenario for this catalyst is in organic synthesis reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heterogeneous catalyst (solid)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heterogeneous catalyst is also mixed with the reactants, but are characterized by their solid nature, which makes them easy to separate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy separation means that they can be reused immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a useful catalyst in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One disadvaantage is that it is difficult to control the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heterogeneous catalyst is used in the purification of vehicle exhaust gases and in oil production processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How catalyst is used in society.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Catalyst is used in society in the form of ‘platinum catalysts’, ‘photocatalysts’ and ‘automotive catalysts’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some examples of actual use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will find that they are surprisingly familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Use in automobiles (purification of exhaust gases).<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In petrol vehicles, catalyst is used to purify exhaust gases, known as automotive catalysts (three-way catalysts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method uses a catalytic reaction to purify toxic gases contained in exhaust gases, and the specific process is as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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