Clean speed ahead with catalysts
Useful sites
Chemguide (UK)
The effect of catalysts on reaction rates
A detailed description of how catalysts work; includes a link to information on collision theory.
The manufacture of ethanol
Describes the production of ethanol from ethene.
Greener Industry (Chemical Industry Education Centre, UK)
Demonstrates how the chemical industry is moving towards more sustainable methods. Includes information on catalysts, the Haber-Bosch process and production of nylon.
Rader’s Chem4Kids.com (USA)
Catalysts and inhibitors
Provides a brief overview of catalysts.
Enzymes
Provides an overview of biological catalysts (enzymes).
What are zeolites? (British Zeolite Association, UK)
Explains the structure of zeolites, their use in catalysis and environmental benefits of using them.
Key Centre for Polymer Colloids (University of Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Hydration of ethene to ethanol
Describes the production of ethanol from ethene using different catalysts.
More about catalytic cracking
Covers the zeolite catalysts used in catalytic cracking.
How catalytic converters work (HowStuffWorks, USA)
Outlines the uses of and science behind catalytic converters in car exhausts.
Shift happens: Will artificial photosynthesis power the world? (Observations, Scientific American)
A blog from editor David Biello that covers development of a cobalt-based catalyst that allows solar energy to be stored by splitting water (includes a brief video).
External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science.
Page updated April 2010.