A Theoretical Basis for Epicatalysis Using Maxwell's Equations in Their Quaternion Form

Abstract

Recent experiments have demonstrated an interesting reaction on a gas-surface defined as epicatalysis. The non-equilibrium thermodynamic potentials were well described in a series of experiments. However the theoretical basis was not established, based on Maxwell's electromagnetic formulas. Therefore, this type of model was needed to explain the experimental results. This paper suggests a connection between Maxwell's fundamental electro-magnetic equations written in their quaternion form and the thermodynamic measurements performed by Sheehan. The connection to the thermodynamic variability is explained using missing terms that the vector calculus interpretation of Maxwell's equations over simplifies and ignores. As such, we provide a fundamental basis to explain the associated results of epicatalysis.