An autocatalyst is a catalyst which participates in autocatalysis.
An autocatalyst is a substance that catalyzes a reaction while being produced in the reaction itself. This means that as the reaction progresses, the concentration of the autocatalyst increases, potentially leading to a rapid acceleration of the reaction rate. Autocatalysis is often observed in chemical systems where the product of a reaction acts as a catalyst for that same reaction, resulting in nonlinear dynamics and sometimes complex behavior. An example of autocatalytic behavior can be seen in certain biochemical reactions and polymerization processes.
An autocatalyst is a type of cylinder used in the exhaust lines of vehicles. It is either an elliptical- or circular-shaped cross section. It is used to create a metal or ceramic honeycomb that is placed into a canister made of steel.