Adsorption is the binding of reactant molecules onto the surface of a catalyst, which is a key step in heterogeneous catalysis. It may be physical adsorption, held by weak dispersion forces, or chemisorption, held by actual chemical bonds. By concentrating and often weakening the reactant bonds at the surface, adsorption lowers the activation energy.

吸附是反应物分子结合到催化剂表面的过程,是多相催化中的关键步骤。它可以是由弱色散力维持的物理吸附,也可以是由真正化学键维持的化学吸附。通过在表面富集并往往削弱反应物的键,吸附降低了活化能。