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Interaction of hydrogen and nitrogen on polycrystalline iron films at low pressures and at low temperatures

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
The interaction of H/sub 2/ and N/sub 2/ on extremely clean iron films was investigated by mass spectrometric measurements of displacement, thermal desorption, isotopic equilibration, and by measurements of electrical resistance. The adsorption of N/sub 2/ on iron films partially covered with H/sub 2/, the adsorption of H/sub 2/ on iron films partially covered with N/sub 2/, and the alternating adsorption of N/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/ were studied. The results were obtained in the temperature range from 77 to 400/sup 0/K and at pressures up to 5 x 10/sup -4/ Torr. Nitrogen does not displace hydrogen from the iron surface; it is physisorbed on a monolayer of chemisorbed hydrogen. Hydrogen displaces nitrogen from the iron surface. The kinetics of these reactions are discussed. It was found that the isotopic equilibrium between /sup 14/N/sub 2/ and /sup 16/N/sub 2/ was not established even when nitrogen was adsorbed on iron in the presence of hydrogen. Thermal desorption studies produced no evidence for the formation of N--H adducts.
Research Organization:
Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Ger.
OSTI ID:
7327338
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 44:1; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English