Spatial coupling of autonomous kinetic oscillations in the catalytic CO oxidation on Pt(110)

Abstract

Oscillations in the low-pressure oxidation of CO on Pt(110) were monitored simultaneously at different parts of the surface by means of two Kelvin probes. The oscillations in both regions were found to always exhibit the same frequency, however, in general with non-vanishing phase difference as well as different shapes and amplitudes. The results are interpreted in terms of spatial coupling through the gas phase between regions whose autonomous oscillatory properties are somewhat at variance to each other because of differences in the surface defect structure.