Difference between catalyst and promoter

In chemical production, catalyst and promoter are two important concepts that are often mentioned. Many people do not have a deep understanding of their differences, which makes it difficult to select and use them correctly in practical applications. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the differences between catalysts and promoters to help chemical industry professionals better understand these two concepts.

1. basic concepts

Catalyst refers to the ability to accelerate the rate of chemical reactions, and after the end of the reaction, the morphology and performance of the catalyst remain unchanged or substantially unchanged. Promoters are substances that promote chemical reactions, but their effects may not be fully restored.

From the definition point of view, both catalysts and promoters are substances that promote chemical reactions, but there are significant differences in the mechanism of action.

2. mechanism

1. the mechanism of action of the catalyst: The catalyst accelerates the reaction rate by reducing the activation energy of the reaction. After the reaction is completed, the catalyst recovers its original morphology and performance and can be reused.

2. the mechanism of action of the agent: The mechanism of action of promoters is different from that of catalysts. They are usually used to adjust the reaction conditions and promote the progress of specific reactions. In some cases, the co-agent may be consumed or partially consumed.

Difference with Helper

1. Reversibility: The catalyst is reversible, and its morphology and performance can be restored after the reaction. The promoter is not necessarily reversible and may be consumed or partially consumed in the reaction.

2. Scope of action: The role of the catalyst is usually limited to a specific chemical reaction, while the role of the promoter is broader and can be used to adjust a variety of reactions.

3. Stability: The catalyst usually has a high stability and can maintain its effect for a long time. The stability of the co-agent varies depending on the specific application and may vary depending on the reaction conditions.

4. Application Example

1. Application of catalyst: In industrial production, catalysts are widely used to accelerate the reaction rate, such as chemical synthesis, petroleum refining and other fields. Common catalysts include metal catalysts, acid catalysts, and the like.

2. Application of auxiliary agent: The auxiliary agent is often used to adjust the reaction conditions, for example, in the process of synthetic fiber, synthetic ammonia, etc., the auxiliary agent may be used to adjust the temperature, pressure and other parameters of the reaction.

5. selection and application recommendations

1. Select according to response needs: The choice of catalyst or promoter needs to be determined according to the specific reaction requirements. If it is desired to accelerate the reaction rate, the choice of catalyst is a more suitable choice. If it is necessary to adjust the reaction conditions, it may be more appropriate to select a co-agent.

2. Considering material stability: The catalyst usually has a high stability and can maintain its effect for a long time. The stability of the promoter varies with the specific substance, so its stability performance under different conditions needs to be considered when selecting.

3. Reference industry standards: In practical applications, when selecting catalysts or promoters, you can refer to relevant industry standards and specifications to ensure that the selected substances can meet production requirements.

Catalysts and promoters have different roles and characteristics in chemical production. Choosing the appropriate catalyst or promoter is of great significance for improving production efficiency and ensuring product quality. Chemical industry professionals need a deep understanding of the difference between these two concepts in order to make the right choice in practical applications.