Coadsorption reaction between (CH3)2S and H2O on Rh(100) studied by NEXAFS and XPS

Abstract

AbstractThe coadsorption reaction between (CH3)2S and H2O on a Rh(100) surface has been investigated by S K‐edge near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and XPS techniques. The dissociation of (CH3)2S to methanethiolate (CH3S)—occurs at 90 K. NEXAFS and XPS results indicate that methanethiolate bonds to H2O via its sulfur atom at 170 K. At elevated temperature, the dissociation rate of molecules is much higher than in other adsorption systems, such as on a clean Rh(100) surface. Therefore, it seems that H2O damages the SC bonds of both (CH3)2S and methanethiolate upon heating. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.