Studies of the influence of a magnetic field on the diffusion of spilt-over deuterium on Y zeolites

Abstract

After deuterium spillover from Pt supported on NaY zeolite onto NaY, the spilt-over particles diffuse into the HNaY part of a two-component Pt/NaY–HNaY sample where an H–D exchange of the OH groups takes place, as shown by diffuse-reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy, and where a reservoir of such activated spilt-over deuterium species is formed, remaining adsorbed after pumping off the D2 gas atmosphere at room temperature. The chief result is that on loading the sample with D2 in the presence of a magnetic field B perpendicular to the main direction of diffusion of the spilt-over particles, H–D exchange is less than without B, which leads to the conclusion that the diffusing spilt-over particles are electrically charged.