Kinetics of rapid reactions on nanometer catalyst particles

Steady-state kinetics of the practically important catalytic reaction 2A+${\mathrm{B}}_2$→2AB (e.g., 2CO+${\mathrm{O}}_2$ → ${2\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2$ on Pt, Rh or Pd), occurring on nanometer supported catalyst particles, is analyzed by employing two schemes taking into account, respectively, (i) the interplay of the reaction on different facets of the catalyst particle and (ii) the possibility of adsorption of reactants on the support followed by diffusion to the catalyst. The results obtained demonstrate that the kinetics for these two cases can be remarkably different compared to those corresponding to the infinite surface.