Catalysis is responsible for 95 percent of industrial chemical processes, and directly affects more than 1/3 of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). What is catalysis? It is the process increasing the rate of a chemical reaction; “helping it”—achieved by means of a catalyst—a “starter.” The catalyst is not consumed by the reaction, nor changed by it, and can keep on “helping” indefinitely (although in practice catalysts can deactivate in seconds to years). It can be likened to a bossy matchmaker, bringing couples together.
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Source: Phys.org