TEMPERATURE PROGRAMMED REACTION STUDIES OF POTASSIUM/CARBON INTERACTIONS AND CATALYST LOSS.

The understanding of the reduction of alkali metal catalysts from its initial oxidized form and the identification of the reduced form are necessary requisites for determining the reaction mechanism. Experimental observations indicate that catalyst loss occurs simultaneously with the reduction. In addition, the rate of catalyst loss from the surface is directly influenced by the reduced form it takes. This study provides insight into this subject by examining the reduction of potassium carbonate on the surface of a pure carbon substrate and the accompanying phenomenon of catalyst loss.