On the reactivity of diamond surface with NO2

The reactivity of a synthetic diamond powder with NO2 was investigated at 313 and 373 K using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and an environmental cell. The reaction is non-catalytic and produces adsorbed RNOx and ROx species on the surface and NO in the gas-phase by dissociative chemisorption. Infrared studies of the adsorbed products have allowed us to identify the presence of nitroalkyl, alkylnitrite, alkylnitrate, carboxyles and anhydrides as the major surface species. The influence of the reaction temperature in terms of kinetics and nature of adsorbed intermediates is also discussed, just as the thermal stability of the adsorbed products.