CARBON-ATOMIC OXYGEN REACTION - SURFACE-OXIDE FORMATION ON PARACRYSTALLINE CARBON AND GRAPHITE

Studies of the carbon-atomic oxygen reaction are extended to include measurements of the extents of surface-oxide formation on a polyvinslidene chloride carbon and on crystals of Ticonderoga graphite using oxygen which is nitrogen free. The surface-oxides inhibit gasification, and have a range of temperature stabilities. After correction of gasification rates for surface-oxide inhibition, the gasification reaction still has a finite activation energy (about 8 kcal mole-1). The surface-oxides decompose on heating to give both CO and CO2, these gases also being formed as products of the reaction. Rates of gasification are controlled by both chemical and diffusion processes. A zero activation energy, found at the highest of the reaction temperatures, is apparent and due to complete removal of the atomic oxygen from the gas stream by the carbon. © 1969.