N2O adsorption and decomposition at a CaO (100) surface studied by means of theory

• The adsorption and decomposition of an N2O molecule at different sites on a CaO(s) surface are investigated by means of ab initio quantum chemistry. The calcium, Ca2+, and oxygen, Os2−, sites at a perfect (100) surface and at a corner position, Oc2−, are considered. Adsorption energies at different sites are calculated and the largest value, 6 kcal/mol, is obtained for a corner site. The barrier for dissociation is calculated to 26 and 27 kcal/mol at the Oc2− and Os2− sites, respectively. These values are some 10 kcal/mol lower than the experimental estimate, and the discrepancy is understood from methodological difficulties to describe the free N2O molecule. A mechanism for the dissociation over an O2− site is proposed, whereby the transfer of the O atom goes via a linear N-N … O … O2− transition state.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Teoretisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Theoretical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

decomposition

nitrous oxide

calcium oxide

surface

dissociation

decomposition

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)