Liquid-phase catalytic reactor combined with measurement of hot electron flux and chemiluminescence

Understanding the role of electronicallynonadiabatic interactions during chemical reactions onmetal surfaces in liquid media is of great importance for a variety of applications includingcatalysis, electrochemistry, and environmental science. Here, we report the design of an experimental apparatus for detection of the highly excited (hot) electrons created as a result ofnonadiabatic energy transfer during thecatalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on thin-film metal –semiconductor nanodiodes. The apparatus enables the measurement ofhot electron flows and related phenomena (e.g.,surfacechemiluminescence) as well as the correspondingreaction rates at different temperatures. The products of the chemicalreaction can be characterized in the gaseous phase by means of gas chromatography. The combined measurement ofhot electron flux,catalytic activity, and light emission can lead to a fundamental understanding of the elementary processes occurring during the heterogeneouscatalyticreaction.
Source: Review of Scientific Instruments - Category: Physics Authors: Source Type: research