Studies of the influence of a magnetic field on the diffusion of spilt-over deuterium on Y zeolites

Abstract

After deuterium spillover from Pt supported on NaY zeolite onto NaY, the spilt-over particles diffuse into the HNaY part of a two-component Pt/NaY–HNaY sample where an H–D exchange of the OH groups takes place, as shown by diffuse-reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy, and where a reservoir of such activated spilt-over deuterium species is formed, remaining adsorbed after pumping off the D₂ gas atmosphere at room temperature. The chief result is that on loading the sample with D₂ in the presence of a magnetic field B perpendicular to the main direction of diffusion of the spilt-over particles, H–D exchange is less than without B, which leads to the conclusion that the diffusing spilt-over particles are electrically charged.