The formation of formic acid upon low-temperature condensation of CO2−H2 and CO−H2O gas mixtures dissociated in electric discharge

The formation of formic acid in the low-temperature condensation of CO2−H2 and CO−H2O gas mixtures dissociated in electric discharge was investigated. The gas-phase concentrations of H., O., OH., and O2 were measured downstream a microwave discharge in a CO2−H2 mixture. Low-temperature (77 K) condensates formed from CO2−H2 and CO−H2O mixtures were studied by ESR. The formation of formic acid in the CO2−H2 and CO−H2O systems was found to be due to the reactions of H., CO, O., and O2 on the condensate surface. A single mechanism of the formation of formic acid in the CO2−H2 and CO−H2O systems was proposed.