Surface-Catalyzed Production of NO from Recombination of N and O Atoms

An experimental method has been developed that uses laser-induced fluorescence detection of N atoms to monitor NO formation from a surface-catalyzed reaction on quartz. Well-characterized mixtures of N and O atoms were generated through NO titration of N atoms produced in a microwave discharge. Experiments were carried out in a diffusion reactor designed for measurement of atom recombination coefficients on surfaces exhibiting low catalytic activity. The results have shown that a significant concentration of NO is generated in the room temperature reaction of N and O atoms on quartz surfaces. This work has demonstrated that N- and O-atom recombination on surfaces cannot be treated independently.