Kinetics of methylamine decomposition on nickel

The kinetics of CH3NH2 decomposition on polycrystalline nickel foils are examined over a wide range of catalyst temperature, pressure, and gas composition in a steady-state flow system with conversions sufficiently low that differential rates are obtained. Rate data obtained in pure CH3NH2 can be fit accurately by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) unimolecular rate expression. Hydrogen alters the decomposition rate to a higher value which is independent of PH2 and can also be fit by a LH unimolecular expression. Results are interpreted as that with the presence of H2 the methylamine decomposition on nickel proceeds through a precursor intermediate. No data points deviate from calculated LH curves by more than 15% over a range of 103 in reaction rates.