Diimide (N2H2), an extremely reactive species, is observed as a gas ph
ase product from the Ni(100) surface in the 200 to 450 K range during
hydrazine thermal decomposition and during thermal desorption of predi
ssociated ammonia. These results suggest that the primary mechanism fo
r diimide formation is recombination of an adsorbed NH surface interme
diate. The ohservation that diimide can be formed from predissociated
ammonia illustrates that a nitrogen-nitrogen bond in the precursor is
not required for diimide formation. Diimide formation from predissocia
ted ammonia is enhanced by coadsorbed hydrogen, which we believe stabi
lizes NH on the Ni(100) surface. In addition, the direct decomposition
of adsorbed N2H4 contributes to the production of diimide at 230 K.