Laser-enhanced oxidation of nickel

Abstract

Photoenhanced oxidation of nickel in air at 350 °C under laser irradiation with wavelengths 308 nm≤λ≤1064 nm has been studied. Significant oxidation enhancement over infrared oven heating has been observed under irradiation with short-wavelength lasers. A 690% increase in oxidation rate has been observed under irradiation with 308-nm wavelength laser. The enhanced oxidation decreased with increasing wavelength up to a threshold wavelength of λ=720 nm. The mechanism involved is believed to be the photoexcitation of adsorbed molecular oxygen at the nickel oxide surface leading to enhanced generation of the active atomic oxygen.