Comparative Plasma Chemical Reaction Studies of CH4/Ar and C2Hm/Ar (m = 2,4,6) Gas Mixtures in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Plasma chemical reactions in CH4/Ar and C₂H_m/Ar (m = 2, 4, 6) gas mixtures in a dielectric barrier discharge at medium pressure (300 mbar) have been investigated. From mass spectrometry the production of H₂ and formation of larger hydrocarbons such as C_nH_m with up to n = 12 is inferred. Hydrogen release is most pronounced for CH₄ and C₂H₆ gas mixtures. Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy reveals the formation of substituted alkane (sp³), alkene (sp²), and alkyne (sp) groups from the individual gases which are used in this work. Abundant formation of acetylene occurs from C₂H₄ and to a lesser extent from C₂H₆ and CH₄ precursor gases. The main reaction pathway of acetylene leads to the formation of large molecules via C₄H₂ and, eventually, to nano‐size particles. The experimental results are in reasonable agreement with simulations which predict a pronounced electron temperature and gas pressure dependency. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A first-principles insight into Pd-doped MoSe2 monolayer: A toxic gas scavenger

Using first-principles theory, we investigate the Pd-doping effect on the geometric and electronic behaviors of MoSe₂ monolayer, and the adsorption behavior of Pd-MoSe₂ monolayer upon four toxic gases, namely NO, NO₂ SO₂ and H₂S. Desorption property of Pd-MoSe₂ monolayer upon four gases at diverse temperatures is analyzed as well to help explore its potential application. For Pd dopant adsorption onto MoSe₂ monolayer, somewhat n-type doping is determined, which accounts for the increased conductivity for intrinsic MoSe₂ monolayer. The strong adsorption ability and poor desorption performance of Pd-MoSe₂ monolayer upon four gases indicate its large potential as gas scavenger to remove these toxic gases from their surroundings. Moreover, it could be explored as a gas sensor for detection of NO, NO₂ and H₂S as well, given the obvious change in conductivity after gas adsorption based on band structure analysis. Our calculations would be beneficial to understand the TM doping effect on intrinsic MoSe₂ monolayer and to provide a first insight into the potential application as gas sensor or sweeper for Pd-MoSe₂ monolayer.     

The adsorption kinetics of C2H2, and C2H4 on W(110) at 1100 K

The adsorption kinetics of C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ gases on W(110) have been studied using Auger electron spectroscopy and qualitative LEED. Below 1100 K, adsorption of either C₂H₂; or C₂H₄ does not follow any simple kinetic model to saturation. At 1100 K adsorption is identical for both gases and follows first order monolayer kinetics with unity sticking coefficient and a carbon-to-tungsten atomic ratio of 0.64 ± 0.05. This carbon is present as a surface carbide which starts to in-diffuse about 1500 K and has completely dissolved after a few seconds at 2400 K.     

Adsorption of acetylene and ethylene on a clean Ir(111) surface

The adsorption of C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ on Ir(111) is studied within the temperature range 180–500 K by the HREELS and XPS methods. The absolute concentration of hydrocarbon coverage is estimated by XPS. Data are obtained on the kinetics of adsorption of the two gases at different temperatures. It is established by HREELS studies that at 180 K C₂H₄ forms ethylidyne (CCH₃ whereas C₂H₂ is adsorbed as CCH and ethylidyne species. At 300 K both kinds of species are found on the Ir(111) surface after C₂H₂ or C₂H₄ exposures. The ethylidyne decomposes completely to CCH at 500 K, which can be accompanied by polymerization of adsorbed hydrocarbon species.     

Can bowl-like B30 nanostructure sense toxic cyanogen gas in air?: a theoretical study

In this work, an attempt has been made to study sensing performance of bowl-like B₃₀ nanostructure towards toxic cyanogen gas using density functional theory (DFT) at B97D/6-31+G(d) computational level. The results reveal that B₃₀ nanostructure is a proper sensor for sensing of toxic cyanogen gas. The most favourite adsorption site of B₃₀ is the exterior boron atoms that lead to the adsorption energy of ?78.48 (kJ/mol) with the remarkable change in electronic properties of B₃₀. The competitive sensing of cyanogen gas in the presence of water, oxygen and nitrogen molecules is also considered. Significant changes in the electronic properties of B₃₀ due to adsorption of cyanogen in presence of O₂, H₂O and N₂ gases enable it to be used in the detection of toxic cyanogen gas in air.     

Carbon on Pt(111): Characterization and influence on the chemisorptive properties

Fully dehydrogenated carbon deposits in the monolayer range have been characterized on the Pt(111) face by LEED, Auger and Δφ observations. These techniques pointed to the graphitic character of such deposits at least beyond about 0.5 monolayer of carbon. The gradual deactivation of the Pt surface towards CO or C₆H₆ adsorption with increasing carbon coverage has been explained by the nucleation and the growth of numerous inactive graphitic islands. The loss of chemisorptive properties only occurs for a complete carbon monolayer which may be viewed as a passive film masking the metal surface. Some weakening in the binding energy of CO, C₆H₆ and H₂ has been evidenced on a surface partially covered with carbon. This additional effect of carbon has been discussed mainly in relation with Δφ measurements.     

UPS measurements of molecular energy level of condensed gases

There have been numerous attempts to use ultraviolet photoemission spcctroscopy (UPS) to monitor the chemical states of adsorbed gas molecules on metal surfaces. To interpret the data correctly, one has to determine the effect of photoemission on the measured energy levels of the molecule. We have measured the UPS spectra of seven gases (C₆H₆, C₅H₅N, CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, H₂CO, H₂O, NH₃) condensed on a LN₂ cooled MoS₂ substrate at hv = 21.2 eV. The inertness of the MoS₂ substrate assures that no strong chemical bonding exists between the substrate and adsorbed molecules. For each gas, the spectrum of the condensed phase is similar to the corresponding spectrum of the gas phase except all the energy levels are shifted up by the same amount. This shift ranges from 1 to 1.65 eV for the gases studied. The energy shift is attributed to the dielectric screening of the hole produced during the optical excitation.     

The scattering of He from adsorbed layers of gases on Ag(110)

The adsorption of gases on Ag(110) has been studied using inelastic He atom scattering. Vibrational spectra have been obtained for Kr, Xe, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, CH₄, CF₄, CHF₃, CO₂ and H₂O. Spectra have also been obtained for multilayers of Xe (2 layers) and C₂H₆ (3 and 4 layers) where the energy changes move to lower values. The scattering from Kr and Xe can be shown to be dispersionless as has been previously found for these adsorbates on Cu(100) and Cu(110). The energy changes for Kr and Xe are smaller than on Cu surfaces and attempts were made to account for this based on an Einstein model of the adsorbed atoms in the surface holding potential.     

Density-dependent magnetic shielding in gas phase 13C N.M.R.

Density-dependent ¹³C nuclear magnetic shielding has been found for each of the pure gases CH₄, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, CO and CO₂, and for several binary mixtures of gases. For methane gas the density dependence is greater at higher temperatures in contrast to expectation and the observed temperature dependence of the shielding at zero density is attributable to nuclear motion. ¹³C magnetic shielding is considerably higher in the gas phase than in the liquid phase and the difference varies for chemically non-equivalent ¹³C nuclei by amounts which are well above the level of experimental error.     

Detection of exhaled gas by γ-graphyne and twin-graphene for early diagnosis of lung cancer: A density functional theory study

In lung cancer, primary diagnosis is quite essential to guarantee human health. In this work, the capability of γ-graphyne and twin-graphene sheets to detect typical breath gases such as benzene, styrene, aniline, and o-toluidine is studied based on density functional theory. The results indicate that these gases are physisorbed on γ-graphyne and twin-graphene. Because of relatively low gas binding strength between gases and γ-graphyne and twin-graphene, these sheets can be proper for the practical gas sensors with a fast recovery rate. Both γ-graphyne and twin-graphene have semiconducting properties before and after gas adsorption. Adsorption of the gases decreases the energy band gap, and increases the electric dipole moment of γ-graphyne and twin-graphene. The electronic properties of twin-graphene are more sensitive than that of γ-graphyne to the presence of the considered gases. Hence, twin-graphene can be desirable and promising material for sensing typical breath gases to diagnose lung cancer.     

CARS diagnostics of a CO2-laser pyrolytic experiment for the production of nanosized ceramic powders

Spatial distributions of rotational temperatures and molecular number densities of C₂H₂ and H₂ were measured with CARS during the production of ultrafine SiC powders in a laser pyrolytic process flame. By means of a CO₂ laser, the reaction gases SiH₄ and C₂H₂ (or alternatively C₂H₄) are converted into SiC and H₂. From the CARS measurements temperature gradients are determined between 8.8 × 10⁵ K/m and 1.6 × 10⁶ K/m with corresponding heating rates of 1.8 × 106 K/s and 1.3 × 10⁶ K/s. The CARS data also allow an estimation of the gas expansion behaviour in the reaction zone. Moreover, they show that diffusive velocity components of the hydrogen in the hot reaction zone do not exceed 0.4 m/s.     

Adsorption behaviour of SF6 decomposed species onto Pd4-decorated single-walled CNT: a DFT study

Metal nanocluster decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with improved adsorption behaviour towards gaseous molecules compared with intrinsic ones, have been widely accepted as a workable media for gas interaction due to their strong catalysis. In this work, Pd₄ cluster is determined as a catalytic centre to theoretically study the adsorption property of Pd₄-decorated SWCNT upon SF₆ decomposed species. Results indicate that Pd₄-SWCNT possessing good responses and sensitivities towards three composed species of SF₆ could realise selective detection for them according to the different conductivity changes resulting from the varying adsorption ability. The response of Pd₄-SWCNT upon three molecules in order is SOF₂ > H₂S > SO₂, and the conductivity of the proposed material is about to increase in SOF₂ and H₂S systems, while declining in SO₂ system. Such conclusions would be helpful for experimentalists to explore novel SWCNT-based sensors in evaluating the operating state of SF₆ insulation devices.     

电子束引起的残余含氧气体在镍(001)面上的吸附

当一束具有一定能量和强度的电子束轰击超高真空系统中残余的水汽、一氧化碳和二氧化碳时,将导致这些气体分子通过如下反应:H₂O→O_ad+H₂,CO₂→O_ad+CO,CO→O_ad+C_ad分解并共吸于镍表面。碳和氧的原子各自占据镍(001)面部份四重吸附位置,形成结构为p(2×2)或c(2×2)的许多独立的吸附畴,电子束轰击促进畴的成核、长大、连结和有序化。当氧和碳的原子占据了镍(001)面约一半的四重吸附位后,上述吸附反应将与导致氧和碳的脱附反应:C^*+O_ad→CO,O^*+C_ad→CO平衡,氧化镍与碳化镍开始成核。由于残余含氧气体中氧的含量超过碳,氧化镍成核占优势,使碳的吸附被排斥,已吸附的碳被排挤,形成电子束斑内氧高碳低、束斑外碳高氧低的“互补”分布。电子束轰击过程中碳的俄歇峰形的变化反映着碳原子与基底原子的不同结合状态。电子束的解离效应在吸附的初始阶段起重要作用,而其热效应对氧化镍的长大起重要作用。 关键词：     

Hyperfine coupling constants of muonium-substituted cyclohexadienyl radicals in the gas phase: C6H6Mu, C6D6Mu, C6F6Mu

Muon spin rotation (μSR) and avoided level crossing resonance (ALCR) have been used to determine the hyperfine coupling constants (hfcs) of the muonium-substituted cyclohexadienyl radicals C₆H₆Mu, C₆D₆Mu and C₆F₆Mu in the gas phase, at pressures ～1 and 15 atm and temperatures in the range 40–80°C. Equivalent studies of polyatomic free radicals in gases, by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, are generally not possible in this pressure range. The present gas phase results support the findings of earlier studies of cyclohexadienyl radicals in the condensed phase, by both μSR and ESR. Minor but not insignificant (～1%) effects on the hfcs are observed, which can be qualitatively understood for such nonpolar media in terms of their differing polarizabilities. This is the first time that comparisons of this nature have been possible between different phases at the same temperatures. These μSR/ALCR gas-phase results provide a valuable benchmark for computational studies on radicals, free from possible effects of solvent or matrix environments.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and gas sensing properties of?single-crystalline ultralong ZnO nanowires

Ultralong ZnO nanowires were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reaction of Zn foil and aqueous Na₂C₂O₄ solution at 140°C. The as-synthesized ZnO nanowires are single crystalline with the wurtzite structure and grow in the [0001] direction. The role of Na₂C₂O₄ in the formation of ultralong ZnO nanowires was investigated, and a possible mechanism was also proposed to account for the formation of the ultralong ZnO nanowires. The gas sensor fabricated on the basis of the ultralong ZnO nanowires showed excellent response characteristics towards NH₃ and N(C₂H₅)₃ vapors with low concentration, and its detection limits for NH₃ and N(C₂H₅)₃ are about 0.2 and 0.15 ppm at the working temperature of 180°C, respectively. This result suggests potential applications of the ultralong ZnO nanowires in monitoring flammable, toxic and corrosive gases.     

Capture of pure toxic gases through porous materials from molecular simulations

ABSTRACT

In the last three decades, the air pollution is the main problem to affect human health and the environment in China and its contaminants include SO_2, NH_3, H₂S, NO₂, NO and CO. In this work, we employed grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the adsorption capability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for these toxic gases. Eighty-nine MOFs and COFs were studied, and top-10 adsorption materials were screened for each toxic gas at room temperature. Dependence of the adsorption performance on the geometry and constructed element of MOFs/COFs was determined and the adsorption conditions were optimised. The open metal sites have mainly influenced the adsorption of NH₃, H₂S, NO₂ and NO. Especially, the X-DOBDC and XMOF-74 (X = Mg, Co, Ni, Zn) series of materials containing open metal sites are all best performance for adsorption of NH₃ to illustrate the importance of electrostatic interaction. Our simulation results also showed that ZnBDC and IRMOF-13 are good candidates to capture the toxic gases NH_3, H₂S, NO₂, NO and CO. This work provides important insights in screening MOF and COF materials with satisfactory performance for toxic gas removal.     

Low temperature formation of benzene from acetylene on a Pd(111) surface

Experiments with UPS, metastable noble gas deexcitation spectroscopy (MDS) and thermal desorption demonstrated that C₂H₂ adsorbed on Pd(111) at 140 K undergoes cyclotrimerisation to C₆H₆ after higher (? 100 L) exposures. If the surface is intermediately warmed up to 300 K, the low temperature state of adsorbed acetylene transforms irreversibly into another species which is unreactive. The surface species formed by reaction was identified by comparison with the electron spectroscopic data of C₆H₆ adsorbed from the gas phase as well as with those of free C₆H₆. The molecules are only weaky held on the surface and start to desorb already at about 150 K.     

Flame structure studies of rich ethylene-oxygen-argon mixtures doped with CO2, or with NH3, or with H2O

Structures of several premixed ethylene-oxygen-argon rich flat flames burning at 50 mbar have been established by using molecular beam mass spectrometry in order to investigate the effect of CO₂, or NH₃, or H₂O addition on species concentration profiles. The aim of this study is to examine the eventual changes of profiles of detected hydrocarbon intermediates which could be considered as soot precursors (C₂H₂, C₄H₂, C₅H₄, C₅H₆, C₆H₂, C₆H₄, C₆H₆, C₇H₈, C₆H₆O, C₈H₆, C₈H₈, C₉H₈ and C₁₀H₈). The comparative study has been achieved on four flames with an equivalence ratio (f) of 2.50: one without any additive (F2.50), one with 15% of CO₂ replacing the same quantity of argon (F2.50C), one with 3.3% of NH₃ in partial replacement of argon (F2.50N) and one with 13% of H₂O in replacement of the same quantity of argon (F2.50H). The four flat flames have similar final flame temperatures (1800 K).CO₂, or NH₃, or H₂O addition to the fresh gas inlet causes a shift downstream of the flame front and thus flame inhibition. Endothermic processes CO₂ + H = CO + OH and H₂O + H = H₂ + OH are responsible of the reduction of the hydrocarbon intermediates in the CO₂ and H₂O added flames through the supplementary formation of hydroxyl radicals. It has been demonstrated that such processes begin to play at the end of the flame front and becomes more efficient in the burnt gases region.The replacement of some Ar by NH₃ is responsible only for a slight decrease of the maximum mole fraction of C₂H₂, but NH₃ becomes much more efficient for C₄H₂ and C₅ to C₁₀ species. Moreover, the efficiency of NH₃ as a reducing agent of C₅ to C₁₀ intermediates is larger than that of CO₂ and H₂O for equal quantities added.     

Response of a thermocatalytic sensor with a single-crystal silicon heater

The sensor response of a thermocatalytic gas sensor with a heater made of single-crystal p-type silicon to gases H₂, CO, CH₄, and C₃H₈ is studied. The sensor response to propane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen has positive and negative components. The positive sensor responses to carbon monoxide and propane exhibit well pronounced maxima at silicon heater currents of 21 and 23 mA, respectively. For hydrogen, the maximum sensor response depends on the gas concentration. This specific feature of the sensor response to hydrogen is explained by the sequential action of the following two processes: absorption of H₂ molecules on the silicon heater surface and the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen on a Pt-Pd catalyst. The sensor response to methane only has a negative component.     

Adsorption-desorption studies using ESD of CCl2F2, C2H2F2 and C2F6 on tungsten

The behavior of the desorbing F⁺ ion current from electron bombarded CCl₂F₂, C₂H₂F₂ and C₂F₆ adsorbed on tungsten has been used to investigate the processes of adsorption and desorption of these gases. For tungsten near room temperature, measurements of the F⁺ ion current as a function of electron bombardment time indicated very similar or even identical F⁺-yielding adsorbed species resulting from adsorption of either CCl₂F₂ or C₂H₂F₂ and widely different species from C₂F₆. Cl⁺ ions were also observed to desorb from CCl₂F₂ ad-layers. The behavior of the Cl⁺ ion current with time during electron bombardment indicated electronic conversion between adsorbed binding modes. Complementary investigations on the interaction of CCl₂F₂, C₂H₂F₂ and C₂F₆ with tungsten were carried out by thermal desorption experiments in which the F⁺ ion signal was used to observe the coverage decrease of the F⁺-yielding species. The experiments were performed at tungsten temperatures in the 1200–1600 K range. It was concluded that the F⁺-yielding adsorbed species from CCl₂F₂ and C₂H₂F₂ were strongly bound to the tungsten surface. The F⁺-yielding species from C₂F₆ were found to be weakly bound. From a comparison of the ESD and thermal desorption results, the possibility of dissociative adsorption as well as the nature of the adsorbed species is discussed.