catalyst ageing

Catalyst deactivation resulting from changes in the structure or in the texture of the catalyst. Changes of this kind are usually irreversible and the catalyst cannot be regenerated.
Source:
PAC, 1976, 46, 71 (Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units - Appendix II. Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Part II: Heterogeneous Catalysis) on page 84