THE INFLUENCE OF SOLID STATE DISLOCATIONS UPON THE CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF METALS

Abstract : This report presents the results of an experimental investigation to determine the effect of dislocations upon catalytic activity. The dislocation density, superficial surface area, microscopic surface area, and mass of a silver catalyst were measured, and the (211) plane of the metal subsequently used to catalyze the decomposition of formic acid. Dislocation densities were varied by deforming plastically the metallic catalyst and ranged from 10(exp6) to upward of 10(exp8) line intersections per square centimeter. Decomposition rates for the formic acid reaction were measured over a temperature range of 165 to 190 C and a pressure range of 20 to 70 millimeters of mercury. The effect of different dislocation densities upon catalytic activity was shown to be related to the change in hydrogen overpotential.