Low Pressure RAIRS Studies of Model Catalytic Systems

Abstract

In this review we examine the use of reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) as a tool for studying model catalyst surfaces. Model catalysts allow us to study the structural and physical properties of their surfaces at an atomic level in a controlled environment in order to gain a fundamental understanding of how “real-life” catalysts work and how they can be improved. RAIRS is a particularly good technique for examining model catalyst surfaces as we can gain information about the morphology of the surface and about any intermolecular interactions that may be present. RAIRS can also be used to study surfaces in high pressure environments, as well as at ultrahigh vacuum, unlike many other standard surface science techniques. Here we review a number of examples of where RAIRS has been used to further the knowledge of model catalyst composition and to study the interactions of model catalyst surfaces with small gas molecules. A range of studies have been carried out examining the temperature, particle size and gas pressure dependencies of the adsorption of small gas molecules on a wide range of model catalyst surfaces.