Hey,

A proper catalyst can be used to accelerate the rate of a reaction. A catalyst is a material that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed (remains chemically unchanged at the end). It gives a lower-activation-energy alternative reaction pathway.

With a drop in temperature, the reaction rate slows. Without being consumed in the reaction, catalysts can lower the activation energy and raise the reaction rate. Variances in reaction rates can be caused by differences in the inherent structures of reactants.