The mechanism of action of carbon nanostructures in tribochemical reactions

Abstract The aim of this article is to experimentally verify the modified Arrhenius equation for catalytic reactions. The theoretical mathematical reactivity model proposed in the authors’ previous articles assumes that: a) the catalytic reaction rate constant depends not only on the temperature at which the reaction occurs but also on the additional energy supplied to the reactants as a result of the flow of electrons emitted by the catalyst, b) the catalytic reaction rate constant changes in a periodic manner. The research focused on two areas of catalyst applications: controlling tribological processes and converting methanol to hydrogen under visible light irradiation. The article proposes a new interpretation of the earlier findings in tribology and photocatalytic decomposition of methanol. The experimental data show that graphene and nanotubes (CNTs) act as catalysts in tribochemical reactions and that catalytic reactions are initiated by light energy. The key feature of the mechanism by which the nanostructures behave is that they absorb various forms of energy from the surroundings, which are to be stored, transported, or released as pulses back to the surroundings when a catalyzed reaction takes place.