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Non-Thermal Reactions in Thin Aqueous Films (Kay's BES-Surface Kinetics, PNNL Scope #16248)


EMSL Project ID
21797

Abstract

Energetic processes at surfaces and interfaces are important in fields such as radiation chemistry, radiation biology, waste processing, and advanced materials synthesis. Low-energy electrons (<100 eV) frequently play a dominant role in these energetic processes since the higher energy primary particles produce numerous low-energy, chemically active, secondary electrons. In addition, the presence of surfaces or interfaces modifies the physics and chemistry compared to what occurs in the bulk. We will use electron-stimulated desorption, temperature programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and other ultra-high vacuum, surface science techniques to investigate energetic, electron-stimulated reactions at surfaces and interfaces, and in thin aqueous films. A key element of the approach is to use a tunable, mono-energetic electron beam and precisely tailored model systems to unravel the complex chemistry that results from the simultaneous release of electrons with a broad range of energies by the primary excitation events associated with ionizing radiation. This work addresses several important issues, including understanding the relative importance of the primary excitation source compared to the secondary electrons it produces, energy transfer at surfaces and interfaces, and new reaction pathways at surfaces. Specifically, these studies are designed to address the following key scientific issues. How does interface between the water film and the substrate influence the energy deposition (by, for example, altering electron-ion recombination) and subsequent reactions? What are the mechanisms responsible for the transport/migration/diffusion of chemically reactive species in irradiated ASW films? How does the presence of solutes influence the energy deposition in aqueous films and the subsequent non-thermal chemistry? What are the lifetimes of electronically excited water molecules, and how far can they diffuse?


Project Details

Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2006-10-06
End Date
2007-10-07
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Gregory Kimmel
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Minta Akin
Institution
University of Texas at Austin

Nikolay Petrik
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

40) Nikolay G. Petrik, Alexander Kavetsky and Greg A. Kimmel, “Electron-Stimulated Production of Molecular Oxygen in Amorphous Solid Water,” J. Phys. Chem. B. 110, 2723 (2006).
42) Nikolay G. Petrik, Alexander Kavetsky and Greg A. Kimmel, “Electron-stimulated production of molecular oxygen in amorphous solid water on Pt(111): Precursor transport through the hydrogen bonding network,” J. Chem. Phys. 125, 124702 (2006).
Kimmel GA, NG Petrik, Z Dohnalek, and BD Kay. "Crystalline Ice Growth on Pt(111) and Pd(111): Nonwetting Growth on a Hydrophobic Water Monolayer." Journal of Chemical Physics 126(11):Art. No. 114702.