FTIR study of ammonia formation via the successive hydrogenation of N atoms trapped in a solid N2 matrix at low temperatures

A Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) study showed that NH3 was formed by the successive reaction of hydrogen atoms with nitrogen atoms in an N-2 matrix at 10 K. Reactions appeared to proceed via the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism because NH3 formation was not observed at 20 K. At this temperature, H atoms did not adsorb significantly onto the N-2 matrix; i.e., the surface residence times were short. Furthermore, NH3 yields via the successive hydrogenation of N atoms were significant, even after H atom deposition onto the N-2 matrix containing trapped N atoms onto which had been deposited a superficial pure solid N-2 adlayer. This result clearly indicates that H atoms diffuse in pure solid N-2 matrices at 10 K.