Geometric and electronic structures of molecularly adsorbed NO at low surface coverage on polycrystalline rhodium studied by NEXAFS and resonant Auger spectroscopy

Abstract

The differences in the geometric and electronic structures of molecularly adsorbed NO on polycrystalline rhodium at low and high surface coverages are investigated by means of near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and resonant Auger spectroscopy. At low surface coverage, the NEXAFS spectra showed elongation of the NO bond. In addition, the resonant Auger results indicated a stronger interaction between NO 5σ and metal d orbitals. From these results, it was speculated that the NO species observed at low surface coverage was strongly adsorbed on rhodium and subject to catalytic reaction in the next step.