Chemisorption of N2 on an Fe(100) surface

The interaction of N2 with an Fe(100) surface was studied by means of Auger electron spectroscopy and LEED. Adsorption takes place above room temperature with an initial sticking coefficient in the order of 10−7 and with an activation energy of about 5 kcal/mole. The activation energy for desorption is estimated to be in the range of 50–60 kcal/mole. The LEED pattern exhibits the formation of a c 2×2 structure. It is concluded that atomic nitrogen forms this strongly chemisorbed phase. Dissolution of nitrogen atoms in the bulk complicates the quantitative analysis of the experimental data