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KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS (#chemicalkinetics)(#chemicalengineering)(#ipumusings)(#physicalchemistry)

KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS

KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS (#chemicalkinetics)(#chemicalengineering)(#ipumusings)(#physicalchemistry)


Introduction

Surface reaction plays a vital role in the catalysis mechanism. Especially in heterogeneous catalysis, various elementary steps occur at the surface of the crystal, and kinetics of the reactions depend on surface phenomena such as adsorption, forming of intermediates and products, and desorption.


On account of surface compositions and structure, the catalyst shows properties of enhancing the rate of the reaction. Langmuir gave a theory of heterogeneous catalysis in which he stated that reactants are chemisorbed through the pores of the catalyst crystal. The assumptions of the Langmuir and Hinshelwood model gives the kinetics of the catalyzed reactions.


Heterogeneous Catalysis and Surface Reactions

In heterogeneous catalysis, we use solid catalysts for the catalysis of reactions where reactants are in the gaseous phase. The composition and structure of the crystal are responsible for the catalytic activity of the solid metals. The pores in the crystal have various point defects and irregularities in it which controls the catalytic activity. The reactants get adsorbed at the active sites and react. They form intermediates which are then converted to products and are desorbed from the surface. Thus surface plays an important role in estimating the kinetics of the reaction. The rate of the catalyzed reactions is based on the following assumptions.

The molecules are adsorbed chemically on the active sites and form a monolayer on the solid surface. The rate of the reaction depends on the fraction of molecules adsorbed and follows Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm.


Heterogeneous Surface Reactions

In heterogeneous catalysis, there are two types of reactions depending on the number of interacting molecules.

a) Unimolecular surface reactions:

The reaction between one molecule and the active site of the catalyst surface.

Molecule A gets adsorbed over the solid surface.

A + S → AS (rate constant=k₁ )


Then the formed intermediate AS gets desorbed from the surface and undergoes associative desorption.

AS → A + S (rate constant= k₋₁)


The intermediate AS decomposes and forms the products.

AS → Products (rate constant= k₂)


KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS (#chemicalkinetics)(#chemicalengineering)(#ipumusings)(#physicalchemistry)

Decomposition of ammonia is a unimolecular reaction on Molybdenum's surface.


b) Bimolecular surface reactions:

Here two molecules, A and B, take part in the reaction. According to Langmuir-Hinshelwood’s assumptions, these two molecules occupy the adjacent sites on the surface.

We can represent the reactions in the following steps:

Molecule A adsorbed on the surface forming intermediate AS.

A + S → AS


Molecule B adsorbed on the surface forming intermediate BS.

B + S → BS


Intermediates AS and BS decomposes to products and is desorbed from the surface giving vacant surface S.

AS + BS → S + Products

KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS (#chemicalkinetics)(#chemicalengineering)(#ipumusings)(#physicalchemistry)

The reaction between H₂ and O₂ on a platinum surface is an example of a bimolecular surface reaction.


Kinetic Equation of Surface Reactions (Unimolecular Surface Reactions).

The kinetic equations can be calculated by considering Langmuir-Hinshelwood assumptions and steady-state approximations. Rate, r for the reaction between reactant A and catalyst surface S can be mathematically written as;

r = k₂θ

Where k is the rate constant of the reaction.


For unimolecular reaction, considering the rate constants and steady state approximations;

θ = k₁[A] / (k₁[A] + k₋₁ + k₂)

r = k₂ k₁[A] / (k₁[A] + k₋₁ + k₂)

1/r = (1/k₂) + (k₋₁ +k₂ ) / k₁k₂[A]

KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS (#chemicalkinetics)(#chemicalengineering)(#ipumusings)(#physicalchemistry)
Fig. concentration dependence of rate in unimolecular surface reactions.

Source; Textbook for Physical Chemistry By Puri Sharma Pathania


The above equation can be represented in terms of partial pressure

r = k₂k₁pA / (k₁pA + k₋₁ + k₂ )

Where pA is the partial pressure of the reactant molecule

KINETICS OF SURFACE REACTIONS (#chemicalkinetics)(#chemicalengineering)(#ipumusings)(#physicalchemistry)

Fig. pressure dependence with the reaction rate in unimolecular surface reactions.

Source: Textbook for Physical Chemistry By Puri Sharma Pathania


Complexities in the Reaction Kinetics

In ideal conditions, for a uniform surface and ideal adsorption. That follows Langmuir’s isotherms and are at the stable condition it is easier to calculate the kinetics of the reaction for surface processes.

But in real condition, various factors make the reaction kinetics complex.

These factors are:

a) Surface complexities or surface heterogeneity

The sites of the catalyst surface may have various defects which deviate the kinetics of the reaction from Langmuir’s adsorbed layer.


b) Lateral interactions among adsorbents (reactants)

Because of the lateral interactions between the adsorbents, the molecules can not be easily desorbed making the rate of desorption complex.


c) Surface restructuring

When molecules get adsorbed on the surface of the catalyst, it results in some changes in the surface's structure which brings about changes in the reaction kinetics.


d) Mobility of adsorbents

When multiple layers of molecules are adsorbed on the surface. The reactant’s mobility decreases and forms a cluster or island of molecules.


References:

1. Impact of surface science on the understanding of the kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reaction by Vladimir P. Zhdanov weblink

2. Role of surface science in catalysis by John H. Sinfelt (weblink)

3. CATALYSIS AND SURFACE SCIENCE by G.A. Somorjai (weblink)

4. Textbook for Physical Chemistry by Puri Sharma Pathania


About the Author:

Mankaran Singh is pursuing his BTech in Biochemical Engineering at University School of Chemical Technology, GGSIP University, Dwarka, Delhi. 





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