Effect of CO on hydrogen adsorption on palladium

Coadsorption of H₂ and CO on Pd has been studied using TDS and ESD techniques. It has been observed that the presence of 10% CO in the H₂ dosing gas during exposure gives rise to a drastic change in the TDS spectra of H₂ compared to the case when only H₂ is separately adsorbed. Furthermore, significant modifications occur in the ESD energy distribution of CO⁺ and H⁺ as a result of coadsorption of H₂ and CO. These observations are taken as evidence of adsorbate interaction possibly resulting in formation of an HCO surface complex.