1. Catalyst: Zeolites
* Use: Cracking of hydrocarbons in the petroleum refining industry. Zeolites are porous crystalline aluminosilicates that act as molecular sieves, separating and converting large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more valuable ones like gasoline.
2. Catalyst: Nickel
* Use: Hydrogenation of unsaturated fats and oils. Nickel catalysts are used to convert liquid vegetable oils into solid margarine by adding hydrogen atoms to their double bonds.
3. Catalyst: Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅)
* Use: Oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to sulfur trioxide (SO₃) in the production of sulfuric acid. This is a crucial step in the industrial production of sulfuric acid, a vital chemical used in many industries.
4. Catalyst: Platinum
* Use: Catalytic converters in automobiles. Platinum, along with other metals like palladium and rhodium, catalyzes the oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), and the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) into nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂), reducing harmful emissions.
