A catalyst accelerates rate(s) of chemical reaction(s). Catalysis is very complex and just like as designed wisely by nature. Both of organic and inorganic substances act, and atoms play their roles on a solid surface for catalysis. Catalysts join to chemical reactions.

Catalysis is a creative phenomenon. Catalysts are main actors in chemical factories.

Catalysts are utilized for production of useful materials and removal of pollutants. All of the raw materials of gasoline, plastics and fibers are being produced using zeolite catalysts. Most of other functional resins, pharmaceuticals, fats, fibers, solvents, ink, liquid crystals and fertilizer are also produced by chemical reactions on catalysts.

Automotive catalyst decomposes NO_x, CO and remaining hydrocarbons. Catalysts completely solve the pollution problems.

A soluble catalyst causes environmental pollution, and therefore their use should be limited. Solid catalysts can realize completely harmless chemical plants from a view of environmental protection.

In a zeolite, something in an atomic scale creates acidic property and molecular-sieving function, which are fantastic functions. We aim to establish a guide into the design of acid site on the basis of the analysis of solid acid property. We aim to develop catalysts which can synthesize only desired molecules on the basis of the fine control of micropore opening size. We aim to develop an extremely active catalyst for organic synthesis on the basis of dispersion of noble metal in an atomic scale. With ultrananotechnology, finer and newer than old nanotechnology, we aim to open a way to rational design of catalyst and to contribute to the protection of environment and resources.

In Katada Lab., we will study and dispatch knowledge for humankind from Tottori based on solid catalysts.

　触媒は創造的な仕事をしています．触媒は化学工場の主役です．

　触媒は，有用な物質をつくることと，不要(有害)な物質をなくすために使われます．ガソリンとプラスチック・繊維などの原料は全てゼオライト触媒によって製造されています．他の機能性樹脂，医薬品，油脂，繊維，溶剤，塗料，液晶，肥料なども，ほとんどが触媒を用いた化学反応によって製造されています．

　自動車触媒はNO_x，CO，未燃炭化水素を分解しています．触媒は，有害物質の問題を根本的に解決します．

　溶ける触媒は環境負荷が大きいので，使用が困難になってきています．固体触媒を使うと，完全に無害な工場が実現できます．

　ゼオライトでは，原子1個のサイズの何かが，酸性質と分子ふるい機能という素晴らしい機能を引き出しています．ゼオライトをはじめとする固体酸触媒の酸性質解析を通じて，酸点の設計指針を目指します．細孔入口径の制御によって，ほしい分子だけを自在に合成できる触媒の開発を目指します．原子レベルで貴金属の分散度を保持し，極めて高い活性を持つ有機合成触媒の開発を目指します．ナノテクノロジーより精密なウルトラナノテクノロジーで，合理的な触媒設計の途を拓き，資源や環境の保護に貢献したいと思います．

片田研究室は固体触媒化学を基盤に，人類を救う知識を鳥取の地から発信したいと考えています．