Reactivity of small supported particles

Transition metals are frequently used in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. In many cases catalysts have specific properties related to crystallographic structure and morphology. One point of actual interest concerns the reactivity of specific sites as steps and kinks. These low co-ordination sites are characteristic for surfaces of small supported particles ranging from 1 to 10 nm. The structure sensitivity for CO chemisorption on supported Pd particles is explained by formation of (100)×(111) surface steps.