Surface electrochemistry of CO as a probe molecule on carbon-supported Se-surface modified Ru nanoparticles via infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy

The carbon monoxide molecule is used to probe the electronic properties of Ru/C and Se surface-modified Ru/C nanocatalysts. Coordination of a Se to a Ru surface strongly affects the vibrational properties and reactivity of the CO adsorbed. Marked alteration of the CO stretching frequency; increase of the Stark tuning rate for C-O vibration; and a positive shift of the onset of CO oxidation are observed for Se-modified Ru particles and attributed to the electronic effect of Se.