An Isotopic Exchange Reaction between Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide on Zinc Oxide

Abstract
Isotopic oxygen exchange reactions between carbon dioxide and zinc oxide, and between oxygen and carbon dioxide on zinc oxide, have been studied by the static method in the temperature range from 350 to 550°C. At any temperature carbon dioxide exchanges its oxygen atoms with those of zinc oxide rapidly. Within a few minutes after the initiation of the reaction, an isotopic equilibrium is established between the carbon dioxide in the gas phase and a certain part of the zinc oxide. It has been found that the, isotopic exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide on zinc oxide takes place through the exchange between these gases and the oxygen atoms of the zinc oxide, that the limiting step is the exchange with oxygen, and that the carbon dioxide acts as an inhibitor of the exchange between oxygen and zinc oxide.