Catalysis of the nitrogen isotope equilibration reaction by rhenium

Abstract

Isotope scrambling experiments have been used to confirm that nitrogen is adsorbed dissociatively by rhenium. At temperatures above ca. 800 K a rhenium filament acted as a catalyst for the isotope exchange reaction ²⁸N₂+³⁰N₂= 2²⁹N₂. The maximum efficiency was ca. 0.03 %. No evidence was found for participation of processes occuring within the bulk of the metal.