Catalysis:
Catalyst is a substance which increases the rate of reaction. It is not being consumed in the reaction. The phenomenon of increasing the rate of reaction with the help of catalyst is known as catalysis. Catalysts are used in a number of industrial processes. A catalyst works by lowering the energy of activation which makes the rate constant larger and hence the rate of reaction increases.
Catalysts can be broadly divided into two types.
Homogeneous Catalyst: When the catalyst is present in the same phase as that of reactants, it is known as homogeneous catalyst and this type of catalysis is called homogeneous catalysis.
Heterogeneous Catalyst: When the catalyst is present in a different phase than that of the reactants, it is known as heterogeneous catalyst. In heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst is generally a solid and the reactants are generally gases.