Adsorption and surface reactions of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide on copper(100) studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy

Abstract

The adsorption of H{sub 2}S and SO{sub 2} on Cu(100) was investigated by use of electron energy loss spectroscopy as a function of coverage, temperature, and scattering angles. In particular, irreversible dissociation of H{sub 2}S and the formation of sulfhydryl (SH) species at low and immediate coverage on Cu(100) were observed at low temperature. This was followed by molecular physiadsorption at higher coverage. In the case of SO{sub 2} on Cu(100), decomposition of SO{sub 2} and the formation of SO{sub 3} surface species at room temperature were observed. A surface reaction involving preadsorbed SO{sub 2} on Cu(100) with H{sub 2}s is discussed.