Mass spectrometric study of glassy carbon surface stability

Abstract

The combinaton of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to investigate glassy carbon surface stability. TPD experiments provide valuable information about the nature and the stability of the surface oxide groups. Samples of pure glassy carbon, and glassy carbon modified by metal (silver, palladium) deposition were analysed. Mass spectrometric analysis showed that the thermal decomposition of surface oxide species results in desorption of H 2 O, CO and CO 2 , these being the major gas products. Desorption energies were calculated using the peak-position method. On the basis of the TPD spectra obtained and the desorption energies, it was concluded that the metal deposition stabilizes the glassy carbon surface.