KINETICS OF METHYLAMINE DECOMPOSITION ON NICKEL

The kinetics of CH3NH2 decomposition on polycrystalline nickel foils a re examined over a wide range of catalyst temperature, pressure, and g as composition in a steady-state flow system with conversions sufficie ntly low that differential rates are obtained. Rate data obtained in p ure CH3NH2 can be fit accurately by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) unimol ecular rate expression. Hydrogen alters the decomposition rate to a hi gher value which is independent of P-H2 and can also be fit by a LH un imolecular expression. Results are interpreted as that with the presen ce of H-2 the methylamine decomposition on nickel proceeds through a p recursor intermediate. No data points deviate from calculated LH curve s by more than 15% over a range of 10(3) in reaction rates.