Heterogeneous Catalysis by Amorphous Materials

Abstract

Corrosion and heterogeneous catalysis are related through fundamental chemical processes which occur at the solid-fluid interface. Amorphous materials hold a special place in catalysis. In addition to unique catalytic activity, catalyst compositions can be chosen with diminished concern for thermodynamic constraints. These compositions represent precursors to catalytically active non-equilibrium intermediate structures. Amorphous metals which have been examined for catalysis show higher activity and selectivity than crystalline materials. This phenomenon is still not understood, but current models suggest special surface structures or known structures in higher concentrations. Knowledge of the electronic and geometric structures of catalytically active surface sites on amorphous materials is required. This paper examines known systems in terms of their unique geometric and electronic structures, and their analogs in amorphous metals are be identified. The possibility of using amorphous metals to model supported metallic systems is also addressed.