Abstract
Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) were used to characterize the adsorption and reaction of guaiacol on Pt(111) and Zn-modified Pt(111) surfaces. It was found that the guaiacol molecule binds to the Pt(111) surface via the aromatic ring which facilitates unselective decomposition to produce CO, H2 and small hydrocarbon fragments at relatively low temperatures. In contrast, on Zn-modified Pt(111) surfaces, guaiacol was found to bond to surface Zn sites via the oxygen atoms in the molecule producing a bonding configuration in which the aromatic ring is tilted away from the surface. Such a binding configuration facilitates the desired CO bond cleavage while keeping the aromatic nature of the molecule intact.
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