Luminescence of Α-Willemite in the Catalytic Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

The interaction of neutral gas particles of thermal energies (molecules and atoms) with the surface of a solid is accompanied by radiation in the visible and I.R. parts of the spectrum. In this case, the surface of a solid body acts as a catalyst for the recombination reactions of gas particles. In this connection, the possibility of exciting luminescence during the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide directly by the atomic form of oxygen pre-adsorbed on the surface of a solid is of interest. Kinetic and spectral methods were used to study the luminescence arising from the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide by the atomic form of oxygen preadsorbed on the surface of a solid – a sample of α-willemite Zn2SiO4:Mn2+. The main stages in the mechanisms of recombination between adsorbate particles are established. Electronic transitions in adsorption complexes and the activator ion have been identified. During the filling process, the sample temperature was maintained by a constant high-speed electronic control system of the heater current. This made it possible to avoid thermal side effects. The main stages in the mechanisms of recombination between adsorbate particles are established. Electronic transitions in adsorption complexes and the activator ion have been identified. It was found that luminescence excitation proceeds in two main stages, somewhat time-shifted. The two-stage mechanism for the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide on the surface of α-willemite with pre-adsorbed atomic oxygen allows a consistent description of the luminescence observed in this case. This type of luminescence has the prospect of using for studying the mechanisms of catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide.