THERMOCHEMISTRY, REACTIVITY, AND DYNAMICS OF METALS ENGAGED IN CHEMI-IONIZATION
Abstract
The Air Force has explored the possibility of using chemi-ionization reactions of atomic metals with oxygen atoms in the ionosphere as a means to form enhanced plasma densities in the atmosphere, which are one potential means to mitigate scintillation effects that interfere with satellite communications. Underscoring the need for fundamental information regarding such reactions are atmospheric release studies involving samarium, which failed to proceed as expected. This failure demonstrated that the literature data regarding the thermodynamics, reactivity, and dynamics of oxidation of samarium (and probably other lanthanides) was inaccurate and highlighted the potential importance of the reactions of excited states of the lanthanides. To acquire more accurate information on lanthanide oxidation, reactions of the atomic metal cations and their oxides with atmospheric gases (e.g., O2, CO, CO2, NO, H2O) as well as collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the metal oxide cations (and in some cases, their reactivity) will be studied as a function of kinetic energy in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer (GIBMS). Such reactions are of direct interest in understanding the chemistry of lanthanides exposed to the atmosphere at high temperature. Analysis of the kinetic energy dependent data will provide quantitative bond energies of a variety of species yielding a better fundamental understanding of the chemical and physical properties of these metals. Both the kinetic and thermodynamic data will be useful in modeling and predicting the chemistry of these species in the atmosphere and other venues, such as catalysis. Furthermore, because such heavy metals exhibit extensive spin-orbit interactions, exploration of these systems and their periodic trends will provide fundamental information needed to better understand and model these chemistries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010329
Entities
People
- Peter Armentrout
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Utah