Multilayer adsorption of methanol on platinum at low temperatures

Abstract

Multilayer adsorption of methanol on the Pt(111) surface has been studied in the temperature range between 80 and 120 K by temperature-programmed desorption and polarization-modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. It has been found that the adsorption at 80–90 K leads to the formation of an amorphous layer of condensed methanol. This layer is thermally unstable, and heating to 100 K leads to the ordering of its structure via the formation of long (CH3OH)n chains, which are typical of the α phase of solid methanol. At 100 K, the adsorption of methanol directly leads to the formation of a well crystallized condensed phase.