Nanoscale and well dispersed catalyst particles offer a large number of advantages: no diffusion resistance, easy accessibility to reactants, and a large number of active sites. In coal liquefaction, highly dispersed catalysts are especially needed because the catalyst particles are only able to influence reactions within their immediate vicinity.
Highly dispersed catalysts for coal liquefaction. Quarterly report No. 4, May 23, 1992--August 22, 1992