Catalytic decomposition of azomethane and reactions of adsorbed methyl radicals on the molybdenum surface

The methods of temperature-programmed reaction/desorption (TPR/TPD) are used to study azomethane (CH³N=NCH³) decomposition and the reactions of the products of its pyrolysis (CH ₃ ^* radicals and N₂) on the polycrystalline molybdenum surface. A TPR spectrum of adsorbed azomethane decomposition shows mainly N₂, H₂, and unreacted azomethane. Upon preliminary adsorption of azomethane pyrolysis products on a catalyst sample, a TPR spectrum shows N₂, H₂, and CH₄ in comparable amounts. The difference in the composition of desorption products found for these two types of experiments shows that, in the decomposition of adsorbed azomethane, surface methyl moieties are not formed. The rate constants were calculated for the dissociation of adsorbed CH₃, CH₂, and CH, recombination of hydrogen atoms with each other and with CH₃ and CH₂, and the recombinative desorption of nitrogen atoms. Deceased.