Atom abstraction in the scattering of state-selected NO+(X1Sigma(+)) on O/Al(111)

The reactive scattering of state-selected NO+(X1Sigma(+)) on oxygen-covered Al(111) is explored at hyperthermal collision energies. Relative ion yields and mean translational energies of scattered NO-2 are presented as a function of oxygen exposure and NO+ collision energy. Above the 9+/-1 eV threshold for reaction, NO-2 products emerge with an average kinetic energy that depends linearly on incident NO+ energy. The formation of NO-2 is assigned to the direct, Eley-Rideal abstraction of an adsorbed O atom by an incident NO molecule.