Formation of nitrogen oxides via NO+O2 gas–solid reaction on cold surfaces

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2013.02.028
• Publication Date: 2013-02-26T00:47:26Z
• Authors: M. Minissale; E. Congiu; S. Baouche; H. Chaabouni; A. Moudens; F. Dulieu; G. Manicó; V. Pirronello
• Keywords: Nitrogen oxides; Nitrogen dioxide; Nitrogen oxides

Abstract The oxidation of nitrogen monoxide has implications for the complex atmospheric chemistry of Antarctica, as well as for planetary atmospheres. In this study we unveil that O 2 adsorbed on a cold surface reacts with a very high efficiency with NO coming from the gas phase to form NO 2 . Via two molecular beams, O 2 and NO molecules are aimed at a cold (10 K) sample held in a UHV chamber. NO 2 is formed independently of the surface composition and morphology. We show that the NO + O 2 reaction occurs mainly through the direct Eley Rideal mechanism to form nitrogen oxides (NO 2 , N 2 O 3 , N 2 O 4 ).