Theory 16/Nanoscale/Catalysis
Selectivity Follows Step Density
The claim
Nanocatalyst selectivity is set by the ratio of step sites to terrace sites, so smaller particles are more selective for structure-sensitive reactions.
01Mechanism
Steps bind intermediates differently from terraces; the ratio determines which pathway dominates.
02Prediction
Selectivity should track step density.
03Refutation
Selectivity tracking particle size alone would remove the site ratio.