IChO 2022 · Theory problem 5

Interconversion among Nitrogen Oxides

15% of the total

Question 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 Total
Points 4 4 2 4 3 8 4 6 4 6 45
Score

Nitrogen oxides (including \(\ce{N2O}\), \(\ce{NO}\), \(\ce{NO2}\), \(\ce{N2O4}\) and etc., usually written as \(\ce{NO_x}\)) are one of the main air pollutants that can cause a series of problems such as ozone depletion, acid rain, photochemical smog, and greenhouse effect. Therefore, the emission and conversion of \(\ce{NO_x}\) must be controlled to improve air quality. Here let us investigate the oxidation of \(\ce{NO}\) to \(\ce{NO2}\) via the reaction of \(\ce{2NO + O2 -> 2NO2}\).

Part A

It is generally accepted that this reaction proceeds through the following mechanism in the atmosphere:

Figure 1
Figure 2

Reaction (1) and (2) and the reverse of reaction (1) are elementary reactions. Reaction (1) is a pre-equilibrium reaction, and its equilibrium constant in terms of concentrations is denoted as \(K_{c1}\). Reaction (2) is the rate-determining step of the overall reaction, and its rate constant is \(k_2\).

5.1 Deduce the rate expression for the overall reaction of \(\ce{2NO + O2 -> 2NO2}\) as a function of \([\ce{NO}]\), \([\ce{O2}]\), \(K_{c1}\) and \(k_2\). 4.0 pt

The temperature dependence of \(K_{c1}\) could be approximately described as \(\ln K_{c1}=M-(N/T)\) (\(M\) and \(N\) are constants). The change of \(k_2\) with temperature follows the Arrhenius equation with the pre-exponential factor of \(A_2\) and apparent activation energy of \(E_{a,2}\). Assume that \(E_{a,2}\) and \(A_2\) are independent of the temperature.

5.2 Deduce the expressions for the pre-exponential factor (\(A_+\)) and apparent activation energy (\(E_{a+}\)) of the reaction of \(\ce{2NO + O2 -> 2NO2}\) as functions of \(M\), \(N\), \(A_2\) and \(E_{a,2}\). 4.0 pt

The apparent rate constant (\(k_+\)) of the overall reaction is \(6.63\times10^5\ \mathrm{L^2\,mol^{-2}\,min^{-1}}\) at 600 K, and its apparent activation energy is \(1.20\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\).

5.3 Calculate the rate constant (in \(\mathrm{L^2\,mol^{-2}\,min^{-1}}\)) of this reaction at 700 K. 2.0 pt

The standard enthalpies of formation (\(\Delta_{\mathrm f}H_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}\)) and standard entropies (\(S_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}\)) at 298.15 K are as follows:

\(\ce{NO(g)}\) \(\ce{O2(g)}\) \(\ce{NO2(g)}\)
\(\Delta_{\mathrm f}H_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 91.3 33.1
\(S_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}\) (\(\mathrm{J\,K^{-1}\,mol^{-1}}\)) 210.8 205.2 240.1

The standard reaction enthalpy and entropy changes of \(\ce{2NO + O2 -> 2NO2}\) can be regarded as temperature independent. All the gases are taken to be ideal for the following questions.

5.4 Calculate the thermodynamic equilibrium constant (\(K_p^{\ominus}\)) of this reaction at 600 K. 4.0 pt

5.5 Calculate the standard internal energy change \(\Delta_{\mathrm r}U_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}\) (in \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) of this reaction at 600 K. 3.0 pt

Experimental observation shows that the rate of the reaction of \(\ce{2NO2 -> 2NO + O2}\) is independent on the concentration of \(\ce{NO}\) and \(\ce{O2}\).

5.6 Deduce the expression of the rate for this reaction (the apparent rate constant could be directly used as \(k_-\)) and calculate the value of \(k_-\) apparent at 600 K.
(If you failed to find the \(K_p^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)\) in question 5.4, use \(K_p^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)=350.0\)) 8.0 pt

\(\ce{NO2}\) gas is introduced to a container with a fixed volume which is held at 600 K and allowed to reach equilibrium. 20 percent of the reactant is converted to \(\ce{NO}\) and \(\ce{O2}\). All the gases are taken to be ideal.

5.7 Calculate the total pressure of this reaction system at equilibrium. (If you failed to find the \(K_p^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)\) in question 5.4, use \(K_p^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)=350.0\)) 4.0 pt

Part B

Industrial exhaust is a main source of \(\ce{NO_x}\). One of the approaches to reduce the emission of \(\ce{NO_x}\) is through the oxidation of \(\ce{NO}\) to \(\ce{NO2}\) and the subsequent absorption of the formed \(\ce{NO2}\) by absorbents. However, because of the low concentration of \(\ce{NO}\) in exhaust, its spontaneous oxidation in the atmosphere is too slow to meet the demand of industry. Generally, solid catalysts are used to accelerate this reaction. The \(\ce{NO}\) oxidation proceeds on the surface of a specific catalyst (CatX) through the following mechanism (adsorption site is denoted as Site):

Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6

Assume that the adsorptions of \(\ce{NO}\), \(\ce{NO2}\) and \(\ce{O}\) (from the dissociation of \(\ce{O2}\)) cannot proceed beyond a monolayer coverage, and these species are adsorbed by the same kind of surface sites. Their fractional coverages (\(\theta\), defined as the ratio of the number of adsorption sites occupied to the number of total adsorption sites) are denoted as \(\theta_{\ce{NO}}\), \(\theta_{\ce{NO2}}\) and \(\theta_{\ce{O}}\), respectively. Thus, the fraction of unoccupied adsorption sites (\(\theta_v\)) is \(\theta_v=1-\theta_{\ce{NO}}-\theta_{\ce{NO2}}-\theta_{\ce{O}}\). Assume that all the adsorption and desorption processes are much faster than reaction (S3).

5.8 Deduce the expression for \(\theta_v\) as a function of \([\ce{NO}]\), \([\ce{O2}]\), \([\ce{NO2}]\) and the rate constants involved in reactions (S1)–(S4). 6.0 pt

5.9 Choose the correct expression for the rate of \(\ce{2NO(g) + O2(g) -> 2NO2(g)}\) at the beginning of the reaction. Assume that the concentration and adsorption of \(\ce{NO2}\) are both negligible. 4.0 pt

\[ \text{(A)}\quad r_{\mathrm{S}+}= \frac{ k_{\mathrm{S}+3}(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} [\ce{NO}][\ce{O2}]^{0.5} }{ 1+(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} } \]

\[ \text{(B)}\quad r_{\mathrm{S}+}= \frac{ 0.5k_{\mathrm{S}+3}(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} [\ce{NO}][\ce{O2}]^{0.5} }{ 1+(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} } \]

\[ \text{(C)}\quad r_{\mathrm{S}+}= \frac{ k_{\mathrm{S}+3}(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}/k_{\mathrm{S}-1}) [\ce{NO}][\ce{O2}]^{0.5} }{ 1+k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} } \]

\[ \text{(D)}\quad r_{\mathrm{S}+}= \frac{ k_{\mathrm{S}+4}k_{\mathrm{S}+3}(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} [\ce{NO}][\ce{O2}]^{0.5}/k_{\mathrm{S}-4} }{ 1+k_{\mathrm{S}+1}([\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} } \]

For some catalysts, the surface reaction proceeds via an alternative way instead of reaction (S3):

Figure 7

This step is also rate-determining for the overall reaction.

A catalyst (CatY) is used to promote the reaction of \(\ce{2NO + O2 -> 2NO2}\). When the temperature and \(\ce{NO}\) concentration are constant, the initial reaction rate changes with the concentration of \(\ce{O2}\) as follows:

Figure 8

5.10 Choose a mechanism that is consistent with this curve. 6.0 pt

(A) S3
(B) S5
(C) cannot be determined

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 5.1: \(\displaystyle r_+=k_2K_{c1}[\ce{NO}]^2[\ce{O2}]\), so \(k_+=k_2K_{c1}\).
  • 5.2: \(\displaystyle A_+=A_2e^M,\qquad E_{a+}=E_{a,2}+RN.\)
  • 5.3: \(\displaystyle k_+(700\ \mathrm K)=6.86\times10^5\ \mathrm{L^2\,mol^{-2}\,min^{-1}}.\)
  • 5.4: \(\displaystyle K_p^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)=2.99\times10^2\), dimensionless.
  • 5.5: \(\displaystyle \Delta_{\mathrm r}U_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)=-111.4\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}.\)
  • 5.6: \(\displaystyle r_-=k_-[\ce{NO2}]^2,\qquad k_-(600\ \mathrm K)=44.4\ \mathrm{L\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}.\)
  • 5.7: \(\displaystyle P_{\mathrm{eq}}=0.588\ \mathrm{bar}=58.8\ \mathrm{kPa}.\)
  • 5.8: \[ \boxed{ \theta_v= \left[ 1+\sqrt{\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-1}}} +\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-2}} +\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}-4}[\ce{NO2}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}+4}} \right]^{-1} } \]
  • 5.9: (B); the overall reaction rate is \(\displaystyle r_{\mathrm{S}+}=\tfrac12r_{\mathrm{S}+3}\).
  • 5.10: (B), mechanism (S5).

Solution

Use \(R=8.314\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\) and the standard pressure \(p^{\ominus}=1\ \mathrm{bar}=10^5\ \mathrm{Pa}\).

The molecular names and SMILES used in the problem are:

Formula Name SMILES
\(\ce{NO}\) Nitric oxide (nitrogen monoxide) [N]=O
\(\ce{O2}\) Dioxygen O=O
\(\ce{NO2}\) Nitrogen dioxide [N+](=O)[O-]
\(\ce{N2O2}\) Dinitrogen dioxide, the NO dimer O=NN=O
\(\ce{N2O}\) Nitrous oxide (dinitrogen monoxide) N#[N+][O-]
\(\ce{N2O4}\) Dinitrogen tetroxide [O-][N+](=O)[N+](=O)[O-]

The dimer SMILES gives an N–N-linked connectivity without specifying conformation. The conventional O=O representation does not encode dioxygen’s triplet spin state. Surface binding geometries are unspecified, so complete adsorbate–catalyst structures cannot be assigned.

For the overall reaction as written, \[ \ce{2NO + O2 -> 2NO2}, \] the stoichiometrically normalized rate is \[ r=-\frac12\frac{d[\ce{NO}]}{dt} =-\frac{d[\ce{O2}]}{dt} =\frac12\frac{d[\ce{NO2}]}{dt}. \] When both directions operate, \(r=r_+-r_-\).

5.1

The pre-equilibrium is \[ \ce{2NO <=> N2O2}. \] Consequently, \[ K_{c1}=\frac{[\ce{N2O2}]}{[\ce{NO}]^2}, \qquad [\ce{N2O2}]=K_{c1}[\ce{NO}]^2. \]

The elementary rate-determining step is \[ \ce{N2O2 + O2 -> 2NO2}, \] with rate \[ r_2=k_2[\ce{N2O2}][\ce{O2}]. \]

One occurrence of this step produces two molecules of \(\ce{NO2}\), exactly as in the overall equation. Therefore \(r_+=r_2\), giving \[ \boxed{r_+=k_2K_{c1}[\ce{NO}]^2[\ce{O2}]}. \]

Thus the apparent rate constant is \[ \boxed{k_+=k_2K_{c1}}. \]

5.2

The given temperature dependences give \[ K_{c1}=e^M e^{-N/T}, \qquad k_2=A_2\exp\left(-\frac{E_{a,2}}{RT}\right). \]

Hence \[ \begin{aligned} k_+ &=A_2e^M \exp\left(-\frac{N}{T}-\frac{E_{a,2}}{RT}\right)\\ &=A_2e^M \exp\left[-\frac{E_{a,2}+RN}{RT}\right]. \end{aligned} \]

Comparison with \(k_+=A_+\exp[-E_{a+}/(RT)]\) gives \[ \boxed{A_+=A_2e^M}, \qquad \boxed{E_{a+}=E_{a,2}+RN}. \]

5.3

The two-temperature Arrhenius relation is \[ \ln\frac{k_+(700)}{k_+(600)} = \frac{E_{a+}}{R} \left(\frac1{600}-\frac1{700}\right). \]

Using \(E_{a+}=1.20\times10^3\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}}\), \[ \ln\frac{k_+(700)}{6.63\times10^5} = \frac{1200}{8.314} \left(\frac1{600}-\frac1{700}\right) =0.03437. \]

Therefore, \[ \boxed{ k_+(700\ \mathrm K) =6.63\times10^5e^{0.03437} =6.86\times10^5\ \mathrm{L^2\,mol^{-2}\,min^{-1}} }. \]

5.4

For \[ \ce{2NO(g) + O2(g) -> 2NO2(g)}, \] the standard formation enthalpy of elemental \(\ce{O2(g)}\) is zero. Thus \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_{\mathrm r}H_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} &=2(33.1)-2(91.3)-0\\ &=-116.4\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}, \end{aligned} \] and \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_{\mathrm r}S_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} &=2(240.1)-2(210.8)-205.2\\ &=-146.6\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

At 600 K, \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_{\mathrm r}G_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} &=\Delta_{\mathrm r}H_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} -T\Delta_{\mathrm r}S_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}\\ &=-116.4-600(-0.1466)\\ &=-28.44\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Since \[ \Delta_{\mathrm r}G_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} =-RT\ln K_p^{\ominus}, \] we obtain \[ K_p^{\ominus} =\exp\left(\frac{28440}{8.314(600)}\right) =299.234. \]

Therefore, \[ \boxed{K_p^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K)=2.99\times10^2}. \]

This thermodynamic equilibrium constant is dimensionless.

5.5

For ideal gases, \[ \Delta_{\mathrm r}H_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} = \Delta_{\mathrm r}U_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} +\Delta n_{\mathrm g}RT. \]

The change in gaseous stoichiometric amount is \[ \Delta n_{\mathrm g}=2-(2+1)=-1. \]

Therefore, \[ \begin{aligned} \Delta_{\mathrm r}U_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} &=\Delta_{\mathrm r}H_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus} -\Delta n_{\mathrm g}RT\\ &=-116.4+\frac{8.314(600)}{1000}\\ &=-111.4116\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Thus, \[ \boxed{\Delta_{\mathrm r}U_{\mathrm m}^{\ominus}(600\ \mathrm K) =-111.4\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

5.6

The reverse reaction is \[ \ce{2NO2 -> 2NO + O2}. \]

Define the concentration equilibrium ratio \[ K_c= \frac{[\ce{NO2}]_{\mathrm{eq}}^2} {[\ce{NO}]_{\mathrm{eq}}^2[\ce{O2}]_{\mathrm{eq}}}. \]

At equilibrium, the forward and reverse rates are equal: \[ r_{-,\mathrm{eq}} =k_+[\ce{NO}]_{\mathrm{eq}}^2[\ce{O2}]_{\mathrm{eq}} =\frac{k_+}{K_c}[\ce{NO2}]_{\mathrm{eq}}^2. \]

Because the reverse rate depends only on \([\ce{NO2}]\), consistency with this relation for equilibrium mixtures gives \[ \boxed{r_-=k_-[\ce{NO2}]^2}, \qquad \boxed{k_-=\frac{k_+}{K_c}}. \]

The dimensionless pressure equilibrium constant is \[ K_p^{\ominus} = \frac{(p_{\ce{NO2}}/p^{\ominus})^2} {(p_{\ce{NO}}/p^{\ominus})^2(p_{\ce{O2}}/p^{\ominus})}. \]

Substituting \(p_i=[i]RT\), \[ K_p^{\ominus}=\frac{p^{\ominus}}{RT}K_c, \qquad K_c=\frac{RT}{p^{\ominus}}K_p^{\ominus}. \]

Using \(R=0.08314\ \mathrm{L\,bar\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\), \[ K_c = \frac{(0.08314)(600)}{1}(299.234) =1.4927\times10^4\ \mathrm{L\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Therefore, \[ \boxed{ k_-= \frac{6.63\times10^5}{1.4927\times10^4} =44.4\ \mathrm{L\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}} }. \]

For the reverse contribution alone, the corresponding disappearance rate is \[ -\frac{d[\ce{NO2}]}{dt}=2r_-=2k_-[\ce{NO2}]^2. \]

5.7

The equilibrium is \[ \ce{2NO2(g) <=> 2NO(g) + O2(g)}. \]

Let the initial amount of \(\ce{NO2}\) be \(n_0\). With 20% conversion:

Species Equilibrium amount Equilibrium mole fraction
\(\ce{NO2}\) \(0.80n_0\) \(8/11\)
\(\ce{NO}\) \(0.20n_0\) \(2/11\)
\(\ce{O2}\) \(0.10n_0\) \(1/11\)

The total amount is \(1.10n_0\). With \(p_i=y_iP\), the equilibrium constant for the forward oxidation is \[ \begin{aligned} K_p^{\ominus} &= \frac{y_{\ce{NO2}}^2} {y_{\ce{NO}}^2y_{\ce{O2}}} \frac{p^{\ominus}}{P}\\ &= \frac{(8/11)^2}{(2/11)^2(1/11)} \frac{p^{\ominus}}{P}\\ &=176\frac{p^{\ominus}}{P}. \end{aligned} \]

Hence \[ \boxed{ P=\frac{176p^{\ominus}}{K_p^{\ominus}} =\frac{176}{299.234}\ \mathrm{bar} =0.588\ \mathrm{bar} =58.8\ \mathrm{kPa} }. \]

5.8

Write \(*\) for a vacant adsorption site and \(\ce{O*}\), \(\ce{NO*}\), and \(\ce{NO2*}\) for occupied sites.

The fast adsorption and desorption steps are approximately equilibrated.

For (S1), \[ \ce{O2(g) + 2* <=> 2O*}, \] so \[ k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]\theta_v^2 =k_{\mathrm{S}-1}\theta_{\ce{O}}^2. \] Taking the physically meaningful nonnegative root, \[ \theta_{\ce{O}} = \sqrt{\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-1}}}\,\theta_v. \]

For (S2), \[ \ce{NO(g) + * <=> NO*}, \] so \[ k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]\theta_v =k_{\mathrm{S}-2}\theta_{\ce{NO}}, \] giving \[ \theta_{\ce{NO}} =\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-2}}\theta_v. \]

For (S4), \[ \ce{NO2* <=> NO2(g) + *}, \] so \[ k_{\mathrm{S}+4}\theta_{\ce{NO2}} =k_{\mathrm{S}-4}[\ce{NO2}]\theta_v, \] giving \[ \theta_{\ce{NO2}} =\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}-4}[\ce{NO2}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}+4}}\theta_v. \]

Substitution into the site balance \[ 1=\theta_v+\theta_{\ce{O}}+\theta_{\ce{NO}}+\theta_{\ce{NO2}} \] gives \[ \boxed{ \theta_v= \frac{1}{ 1+ \sqrt{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1}} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} +k_{\mathrm{S}-4}[\ce{NO2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}+4} } }. \]

5.9

Initially, the \(\ce{NO2}\) adsorption term is negligible. Therefore, \[ \theta_{\ce{O}} = \frac{ \sqrt{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1}} }{ 1+\sqrt{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1}} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} }. \]

The slow step is \[ \ce{NO(g) + O* -> NO2*}, \] with \[ r_{\mathrm{S}+3}=k_{\mathrm{S}+3}[\ce{NO}]\theta_{\ce{O}}. \]

Each occurrence produces one adsorbed \(\ce{NO2}\), which rapidly desorbs. Two occurrences of (S3) are required per occurrence of the overall reaction \[ \ce{2NO(g) + O2(g) -> 2NO2(g)}. \]

Thus, \[ r_{\mathrm{S}+}=\frac12r_{\mathrm{S}+3}, \] and \[ \boxed{ r_{\mathrm{S}+} = \frac{ 0.5k_{\mathrm{S}+3}(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} [\ce{NO}][\ce{O2}]^{0.5} }{ 1+(k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-1})^{0.5} +k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]/k_{\mathrm{S}-2} } }. \]

The correct choice is (B).

5.10

For the alternative slow step, \[ \ce{NO* + O* -> * + NO2*}, \] the overall rate is \[ r_{\mathrm{S}+}=\frac12k_{\mathrm{S}+5}\theta_{\ce{NO}}\theta_{\ce{O}}. \]

At fixed temperature and \([\ce{NO}]\), define \[ b=\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-2}}, \qquad a=1+b, \qquad x=\sqrt{\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-1}}}. \] Here \(a\) and \(b\) are constant, while \(x\) increases with \([\ce{O2}]\).

With negligible initial \(\ce{NO2}\) adsorption, \[ \theta_v=\frac1{a+x}, \qquad \theta_{\ce{O}}=\frac{x}{a+x}, \qquad \theta_{\ce{NO}}=\frac{b}{a+x}. \]

For mechanism (S3), \[ r_{\mathrm{S}+}^{(S3)} =\frac12k_{\mathrm{S}+3}[\ce{NO}]\frac{x}{a+x}. \] Its derivative is \[ \frac{dr_{\mathrm{S}+}^{(S3)}}{dx} = \frac12k_{\mathrm{S}+3}[\ce{NO}] \frac{a}{(a+x)^2}>0. \] Thus its rate rises monotonically toward a plateau.

For mechanism (S5), \[ r_{\mathrm{S}+}^{(S5)} =\frac12k_{\mathrm{S}+5}\frac{bx}{(a+x)^2}, \] and \[ \frac{dr_{\mathrm{S}+}^{(S5)}}{dx} = \frac12k_{\mathrm{S}+5}b \frac{a-x}{(a+x)^3}. \]

This derivative is positive for \(x<a\), zero at \(x=a\), and negative for \(x>a\). The rate therefore rises to a maximum and then falls, as shown in the figure. The maximum occurs at \[ \sqrt{\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+1}[\ce{O2}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-1}}} = 1+\frac{k_{\mathrm{S}+2}[\ce{NO}]}{k_{\mathrm{S}-2}}. \]

At high oxygen concentration, oxygen occupies most sites and suppresses the coverage of adsorbed \(\ce{NO}\). Since (S5) requires both adsorbed species, its rate decreases.

Therefore the consistent choice is \[ \boxed{\text{(B), mechanism (S5)}}. \]

The solution was checked against the official solution.