O2 dissociation in Na-modified gold ultrathin layer on Cu(111)

Abstract

High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy has been used to investigate the catalytic properties of Na-doped Au monolayer grown on Cu(111). The presence of Na atoms allows the dissociation of oxygen molecules and the stabilization of atomic oxygen. The strong reduction of the dissociation barrier for O2 promoted by Na could readily favor many surface chemical reactions, due to the key role of atomic oxygen in many oxidation processes catalyzed by gold.