The kinetics of isopropanol dehydrogenation on massive nickel modified by plasma chemical treatment of its surface

The influence of plasma chemical treatment of the surface of massive nickel on the kinetic characteristics of isopropanol dehydrogenation was studied. A high-frequency electrodeless hydrogen plasma was shown to increase the activity of the catalyst over the temperature range 525-673 K. A sharper increase in activity occurred at 525-634 K after treatment of the surface of nickel with a glow-discharge oxygen plasma. Changes in the rate constants and experimental activation energies were interpreted considering the difference of the work functions of electrons in the ferromagnetic state of the metal below the Curie point (634 K) and in the paramagnetic state (634-673 K). Copyright © 2005 by Pleiades Publishing, Inc.