An XPS investigation of the interaction of CH 4, C 2H 2, C 2H 4 and C 2H 6 with a barium surface

Abstract

The generation and pumping of hydrocarbon gases by a barium getter layer in electronic vacuum devices has been investigated by characterizing a barium film in an ultra high vacuum equipment by means of XPS before, during and after exposures to respectively CH 4, C 2H 2, C 2H 4 and C 2H 6. The reaction conditions (temperatures and pretreatment of the surface, background pressure and exposure doses) closely resemble those in electronic vacuum devices. The probability that a barium layer will react with CH 4 and C 2H 6 was below the detection limit. C 2H 2 and C 2H 4 give rise to the formation of barium carbide compounds and with a high reaction probability. In addition, the interaction with C 2H 2 reveals the formation of carbon-containing surface complexes. Investigations by means of XPS on the C Is spectral features show the presence of at least two groups of carbon-containing surface complexes, which behave differently in response to moderate heating and to an exposure to water vapour. In cases where oxygen is present at the surface, oxygen-containing (hydro) carbon adsorbates are present too. XPS observations of the behaviour of these surface complexes show similarities with reaction steps in the mechanisms proposed for the hydrogenation of CO in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons. Low-pressure hydrogenation of these adsorbates containing hydrocarbons and oxygen can led to the formation of hydrocarbon gases in electronic vacuum devices.