The adsorption of CO on clean and potassium promoted FeO surfaces

The adsorption of CO on a FeO (wustite) surface was investigated using UPS, AES and temperature programmed desorption. These results are compared to those obtained from the same sample following addition of potassium from the decomposition of KOH. CO adsorption was identified following exposure at 300 K to the potassium free surface. The adsorbed species readily desorbs below 500 K. CO adsorption was poisoned by pre-exposure to oxygen at 300 K. This suggests CO is adsorbed at surface oxygen vacancies. CO induced UPS emission features are different from those typically found for CO chemisorbed on transition metal surfaces. The presence of potassium alters the adsorption behavior of CO. The thermal desorption maximum shifts to 625 K. UPS results indicate molecular CO adsorption at 300 K and upon heating to 470 K CO dissociates. The presence of potassium thus promotes CO dissociation on FeO.