Summary
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1.
An examination Is made of the problem of the adsorption on an ionic crystal of a diatomic molecule formed from atoms which each have one valence electron. It is shown that, on adsorption, the free electron of the lattice becomes localized on a positive, ion, which serves as an adsorption center
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2.
It is shown that this localization of a free electron leads to rupture of the valence bond between the atoms forming the molecule and also to the simultaneous formation of a valence bond between one of these atoms and one of the atoms of the lattice (a “stable” homopolar bond).
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3.
This mechanism of adsorption accompanied by dissociation is shown to require a certain activation energy.
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Literature cited
F. F. Volkenshtein, J. Phys. Chem.21, 1317 (1947).
V. L. Bonch-Bruevich, J. Phys. Chem. 25, 1033 (1951).
F. F. Voikenshtein, J. Phys. Chem. 26, 1462 (1952).
J. C. Slater, Phys. Rev. 38, 1109 (1931).
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Volkenshtein, F.F. Mechanism of the dissociation of a diatomic molecule on adsorption on the surface of a semiconductor. Russ Chem Bull 6, 151–166 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01170548
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01170548