Publication
Title
Plasma species interacting with nickel surfaces : toward an atomic scale understanding of plasma-catalysis
Author
Abstract
The adsorption probability and reaction behavior of CHx plasma species on various nickel catalyst surfaces is investigated by means of reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the ReaxFF potential. Such catalysts are used in the reforming of hydrocarbons and in the growth of carbon nanotubes, and further insight in the underlying mechanisms of these processes is needed to increase their applicability. Single and consecutive impacts of CHx radicals (x={1,2,3}) were performed on four different Ni surfaces, at a temperature of 400 K. The adsorption probability is shown to be related to the number of free electrons, i.e. a higher number leads to more adsorptions, and the steric hindrance caused by the hydrogen atoms bonded to the impacting CHx species. Furthermore, some of the CH bonds break after adsorption, which generally leads to diffusion of the hydrogen atom over the surface. Additionally, these adsorbed H-atoms can be used in reactions to form new molecules, such as CH4 and C2Hx, although this is dependent on the precise morphology of the surface. New molecules are also formed by subtraction of H-atoms from adsorbed radicals, leading to occasional formation of H2 and C2Hx molecules.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces. - Washington, D.C., 2007, currens
Publication
Washington, D.C. : 2012
ISSN
1932-7447 [print]
1932-7455 [online]
DOI
10.1021/JP307380W
Volume/pages
116 :39 (2012) , p. 20958-20965
ISI
000309375700040
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Atomistic simulations of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of single walled carbon nanotubes
CalcUA as central calculation facility: supporting core facilities.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.11.2012
Last edited 22.01.2024
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