TPD of nitric acid from BaNa-Y: evidence that a nanoscale environment can alter a reaction mechanism.

The mechanism of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of nitric acid chemisorbed on BaNa-Y was studied over the temperature range from 200 to 400 degrees C, in the presence and absence of CO. Nitric acid dissociates to form H(+) and NO(3)(-) when chemisorbed on BaNa-Y. The results of these experiments are consistent with H(+) and NO(3)(-) either reacting directly to produce OH and NO(2) or recombining to produce HNO(3), which is desorbed and rapidly decomposes within the zeolite pores to OH and NO(2). The kinetics and stoichiometry suggest that the hydroxyl radicals produced react with CO and NO(2) to form CO(2) + H and NO + HO(2), respectively. The H atoms thus formed react with OH in preference to NO(2), a change in mechanism consistent with literature rate constants and the expectation that the zeolite pore walls act as a third body for the reaction of H with OH. Finally, OH may react with NO(2) to form HO(2), which can undergo further reactions to form O(2), H(2)O, and/or H(2). No reaction between CO and NO(3) or CO and surface-bound NO(3)(-) was observed.