Thermal Decomposition of Nitric Oxide

Abstract

The decomposition of pure nitric oxide and of mixtures with nitrogen or helium was studied at T = 1170 to 1530°K in quartz vessels. Above about T = 1400°K, the reaction is homogeneous and cleanly second order in NO throughout the course of decomposition. A change in the surface to volume ratio leaves the rate unchanged as does the addition of a fourfold excess of nitrogen or helium. Above 1400°K, the activation energy is constant at 63.8±0.6 kcal. The effect of added oxygen was investigated and a mechanism is discussed which reconciles much of the available data.