A Catalyst is a unit of change that, when placed in the middle of a process, constitutes a turn on the way towards the direction that it had as its original destination. A catalyst could be defined as the operator of a mathematical function, which when interposed between two functions with specific objectives, their destiny is altered, thus reaching a third function with the change made by the catalyst. The term itself lacks popular semantics, its etymology indicates that it is a technical word used in branches such as engineering, chemistry, biological and electronics, since this is where the phenomena and consequences are studied in depth when certain processes are altered through the use of test catalysts.
In a physics laboratory, while studying the correct operation of an electrical circuit, an extra element can be added to it, which involves a sudden change in the system. In chemistry, by adding an extra compound through the elaboration of a formula, it could alter the final result of the same, turning it in some cases into something completely opposite to what was sought before.
In chemistry, potassium dioxide can be obtained by mixing the salt and the solvent, but if water is added in the process, the solution can be hydrated. It is a term widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, since the composition of drugs usually contains catalysts to present them in different varieties.
A filter can also be called a catalyst, since its main function is to strain the substance in question to leave most of the large traces of it in the container. In this way, the environment is taken care of or the raw material can be reused and synthesized.
Large companies that emit gases into the atmosphere have filters to help those gases pollute in less quantity. This technology has also been applied to automobiles which have slits and grooves in the exhaust pipe to contain excess gases. The cigarettes are also a good example of catalysts filters. Since they prevent nicotine from reaching the lungs in a pure form.
There are different types of catalysts, among them are:
Positive catalysts or promoters: these are the most common, also known in science as "promoters". Positive catalysts help speed up chemical reactions.
Negative catalysts or inhibitors: these types of catalysts are responsible for slowing down chemical reactions, they are used less frequently than positive catalysts.
Heterogeneous catalysts: in most cases, these heterogeneous catalysts are solid, while the reactants are gases or liquids.
Homogeneous catalysts: used in the same phase as the reagents, with the same mechanical principles of heterogeneous catalysis.
