STUDY OF THE CATALYTIC DESTRUCTION OF DIMETHYL METHYLPHOSPHONATE - OXIDATION OVER MO(110)

The catalytic oxidation of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) has been studied on a Mo(110) single-crystal surface. Molecular beam dosing methods delivering a 1:2 DMMP/oxygen flux to the crystal were used, with mass spectrometer sampling of the desorbing products. Under steady-state conditions at 898 K, continuous catalytic production of CO and phosphorus oxide gas-phase species is observed as DMMP is oxidized on the Mo(110) surface. For DMMP decomposition at 898 K on Mo(110) in the absence of oxygen, surface phosphorus is the dominant stable surface component present. This is the first report of the sustained catalytic destruction of compounds in this class, in which catalyst deactivation was not observed after long exposure.