IDENTIFICATION OF A SURFACE AZIDE FROM THE REACTION OF HN3 WITH C(100)

The reaction of hydrogen azide, HN,, with bare and hydrogenated diamon d (100) was studied using high resolution electron energy loss spectro scopy (HREELS). Hydrogen azide adsorbs molecularly on the hydrogenated diamond surface at: 100 K and desorbs without reacting at < 273 K. In contrast, HN, reacts with C(100) at 100 K by breaking the N-H bond to form C-N-3 and C-H surface species. The breaking of the N-H bond is i n contrast to the reaction mechanism of HN3 on Si and Ge surfaces in w hich breaking of the HN-NN bond is observed. We suggest that the stron ger bonding of hydrogen to the diamond surface is responsible.