Reaction of nitrous oxide with copper surfaces. Application to the determination of free-copper surface areas

Abstract

A study is made on the reaction of nitrous oxide with copper surfaces. As with germanium, the reaction has an activation energy that increases with coverage. The transition from surface to bulk oxidation sometimes involves an incubation time. The reaction at 90°C and 20 cmHg gives a coverage of about unity, and is used for determining free-copper surface areas of catalysts. The results are compared with those of X-ray line broadening and electron microscopy. Emmett and Skau's carbon monoxide method for determining free-copper surface areas is briefly discussed.