Question

Why is desorption important for a substance to act as a good catalyst?

Answer 1

Desorption is important for a substance to act as a good catalyst so that after the reaction, the products found on the surface separate out (desorbed) to create a free surface again for other reactant molecules to approach the surface and react. If desorption does not occur then other reactants are left with no space on the catalyst's surface for adsorption and the reaction will stop.