Photoelectron spectroscopy of the α-Fe(111)-carbon monoxide surface

Abstract

Photoelectron spectroscopy of the α-Fe(111)-carbon monoxide surface at 300 K demonstrates a mixed chemisorption régime: dissociation of carbon monoxide and formation of a ‘carbide-oxide’ layer at sub-monolayer coverage is followed by associative molecular binding at higher coverages. No new surface species are detected in mixed carbon monoxide-hydrogen adlayers but preadsorption of dihydrogen considerably reduces the extent of dissociation of subsequently sorbed carbon monoxide. Some general remarks are made on the activation energies for cleavage of the carbon-oxygen bond at various surfaces.