The field of catalysis is complex and requires extensive chemistry skill for the development of custom-made products (known as catalysts), used as intermediaries in specific chemical reactions. Activated carbons, acting as supports for these catalysts, are at the heart of the chemical process and their implementation requires particular attention. In effect, the most widespread catalysts are precious metals (and therefore expensive) such as platinum, palladium, and ruthenium It is essential that they are set on supports that are pure, efficient and durable, such as activated carbons.
Catalysis
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The purpose of these activated carbons is to uniformly affix the catalyst on the entire carbonized surface, thanks to its porous structure. The dispersed catalyst remains accessible.
Granular or powder activated carbons used as catalyst supports must be extremely pure in order not to interfere with the chemical reaction. In particular, the presence of ashes will lower the yield of the reactions, which would be very costly in regard to the size of the reactors used.
In processes using granular activated carbons, the carbon must remain mechanically resistant in order not to form fine particles (due to grain friction) which would result in a catalyst loss and a drop in the application's yield.
PICA offers a range of specific granular and powder carbons designed for catalysis, characterised by hardness, very low rate of impurity and high degree of activation.