Nitrogen Oxidation on A Plasma-Exposed Surface

Abstract

The elementary processes during the fixation of nitrogen by plasma catalysis are studied in a low-pressure plasma experiment with N2 and O2 as source gases. The formation of surface groups on an iron oxide foil is monitored with infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. Surface nitrates (NO3-) are formed when the substrate is exposed to a 1:1 N2:O2 plasma, as well as N2O(g), NO(g), NO2(g), and O3(g) in the gas phase. It is postulated that NO1,2(g) species created by the plasma, adsorb at the surface and create these nitrates. This constitutes an intermediate step for nitrogen oxidation by plasma catalysis.