A molecular beam study of the NO + CO reaction on Pd(111) surfaces

Nitric oxide (NO) reduction with carbon monoxide (CO) on the Pd(111) surface was studied under isothermal conditions by molecular beam techniques as a function of temperature, NO:CO beam composition, and beam flux. Systematic experiments were performed under transient and steady state conditions. Displacement of adsorbed CO by NO in the transient state of the reaction was observed at temperatures between 375 and 475 K for all the NO:CO compositions studied. NO accumulation occurs on Pd(111) surface under steady state conditions, below 475 K, due to stronger chemisorption of NO. The steady state reaction rates attain a maximum at about 475 K, nearly independent of beam composition. N2 was found to be the major product of the reduction, along with a minor production of N2O. The production of N2 and N2O indicates molecular and dissociative adsorption of NO on Pd(111) at temperatures up to 525 K. Postreaction TPD measurements were performed in order to determine the nitrogen coverage under steady-state conditions. Finally, the results are discussed with respect to the rate-controlling character of the different elementary steps of the reaction system.     

Theoretical study of NO adsorption/dissociation on Pd (100) and (111) surfaces

Both adsorption and dissociation of the diatomic molecular NO on Pd (100) and (111) surfaces are studied using the extended London‐Eyring‐Polyani‐Sato (LEPS) method constructed by means of 5‐MP (the 5‐parameter Morse potential). All critical characteristics of the system that we obtain, such as adsorption geometry, binding energy, eigenvalues for vibration, are in good agreement with the experimental results. On Pd (100) surface, NO prefers to adsorb in fourfold hollow site (H) uprightly at low coverage. With increase in the coverage NO gradually tilts in fourfold hollow and bridge sites. For NO? Pd (111) system, two adsorption states are found at low coverage, of which one adsorption state is the B(tilt) state that the centroid of NO projects at bridge site, another (H? B? H state) that NO almost parallels to the (111) surface with the vibration frequency of 610 cm^?1, but the frequency is near to that of the atoms, which is easy to be ignored in experiments. At high coverage, two transitional states (BH and HT) are found. NO is difficult to dissociate on Pd (100) and (111) surfaces. Especially for NO? Pd (111) system, the three‐well‐potential dissociation mode is initially put forward to show the remarkable dissociation process with two dissociation transitional states of NO on Pd (111). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction of SO2 with single crystal metal surfaces

Studying the interaction of SO₂ with metal surfaces under UHV conditions, a question of central interest is whether the molecule dissociates (leaving back the catalyst poison sulphur on the surface) or not. A spontaneous or a thermally activated dissociation of SO₂ occurs on Fe, Rh, W, Ni, Pd and Pt. On Cu and Ag a strong chemisorption, but only a partial dissociation induced by defects or coadsorbed alkalis, and on Au no chemisorption at all were observed.

In this paper a comparison of our results obtained for the chemisorption and multilayer adsorption of SO₂ on Cu(111), Ag(111), Ag(100) and Ag(110) in the temperature range between 80 K and 900 K is given. By combining highly resolved TPD-measurements, isothermal and temperature-programmed ΔΦ-experiments after different stages of exposure and molecular beam backscattering measurements (MBBS) —assisted by LEED, AES and isotope mixing experiments — a destinction between ordinary desorption and desorption after a reorientation process during the heating procedure could be made. Whereas on clean Ag surfaces adsorption and desorption of SO₂ are observed only below 300 K, on Cs-precovered Ag desorption of SO₂ takes place even above 600 K.

Finally, results concerning the different stages of SO₂ multilayer adsorption (bi-, tri-, multilayers) are presented showing a characteristic dependence of the layer growth on the adsorption temperature, the impinging SO₂ flux density and on the surface structure.     

NO Chemisorption on Pt(111), Rh/Pt(111), and Pd/Pt(111)

The chemisorption of NO on clean Pt(111), Rh/Pt(111) alloy, and Pd/Pt(111) alloy surfaces has been studied by first principles density functional theory (DFT) computations. It was found that the surface compositions of the surface alloys have very different effects on the adsorption of NO on Rh/Pt(111) versus that on Pd/Pt(111). This is due to the different bond strength between the two metals in each alloy system. A complex d-band center weighting model developed by authors in a previous study for SO2 adsorption is demonstrated to be necessary for quantifying NO adsorption on Pd/Pt(111). A strong linear relationship between the weighted positions of the d states of the surfaces and the molecular NO adsorption energies shows the closer the weighted d-band center is shifted to the Fermi energy level, the stronger the adsorption of NO will be. The consequences of this study for the optimized design of three-way automotive catalysts, (TWC) are also discussed.     

Particle size dependent adsorption and reaction kinetics on reduced and partially oxidized Pd nanoparticles

Combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and molecular beam (MB) techniques, we have investigated particle size effects on a Pd/Fe(3)O(4) model catalyst. We focus on the particle size dependence of (i) CO adsorption, (ii) oxygen adsorption and (iii) Pd nanoparticle oxidation/reduction. The model system, which is based on Pd nanoparticles supported on an ordered Fe(3)O(4) film on Pt(111), is characterized in detail with respect to particle morphology, nucleation, growth and coalescence behavior of the Pd particles. Morphological changes upon stabilization by thermal treatment in oxygen atmosphere are also considered. The size of the Pd particles can be varied roughly between 1 and 100 nm. The growth and morphology of the Pd particles on the Fe(3)O(4)/Pt(111) film were characterized by STM and IRAS of adsorbed CO as a probe molecule. It was found that very small Pd particles on Fe(3)O(4) show a strongly modified adsorption behavior, characterized by atypically weak CO adsorption and a characteristic CO stretching frequency around 2130 cm(-1). This modification is attributed to a strong interaction with the support. Additionally, the kinetics of CO adsorption was studied by sticking coefficient experiments as a function of particle size. For small particles it is shown that the CO adsorption rate is significantly enhanced by the capture zone effect. The absolute size of the capture zone was quantified on the basis of the STM and sticking coefficient data. Finally, oxygen adsorption was studied by means of MB CO titration experiments. Pure chemisorption of oxygen is observed at 400 K, whereas at 500 K partial oxidation of the particles occurs. The oxidation behavior reveals strong kinetic hindrances to oxidation for larger particles, whereas facile oxidation and reduction are observed for smaller particles. For the latter, estimates point to the formation of oxide layers which, on average, are thicker than the surface oxides on corresponding single crystal surfaces.     

Dynamic Monte Carlo simulation of the NO + CO reaction on Rh(111)

The kinetics of the catalytic reduction of NO by CO on Rh(111) surfaces was investigated by using dynamic Monte Carlo simulations. Our model takes into account recent experimental findings and introduces relevant modifications to the classical reaction scheme, including an alternative pathway to produce N2 through an (N-NO)* intermediate, the formation of atomic nitrogen islands in the adsorbed phase, and the influence of coadsorbed species on the dissociation of NO. All elementary steps are expressed as activated processes with temperature-dependent rates and realistic values dictated by experiments. Calculated steady-state phase diagrams are presented for the NO + CO reaction showing the windows for the conditions under which the reaction is viable. The model predicts variations in both production rates and adsorbate coverages with temperature consistent with experimental data. The effect of varying the individual kinetic parameters and the importance of each step in the reaction scheme were probed.     

N+NO reaction on Rh(111) surfaces studied with fast near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy: role of NO dimer as an extrinsic precursor

We studied the mechanism of the N+NO reaction on Rh(111) surfaces by means of fast near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. This reaction is important as a basis of NOx reduction reactions on platinum-group metal surfaces. Atomic nitrogen layers on Rh(111) were titrated with NO at various temperatures. N2O is exclusively formed and desorbs into the gas phase below 350 K. The consumption rate of atomic nitrogen exhibits strange temperature dependence between 100 and 350 K; the reaction proceeds slower with increasing temperature. Reaction kinetics analyses and isotope-controlled experiments have revealed that the surface N atoms do not react with chemisorbed NO molecules but with NO dimers weakly bound on top of the chemisorbed layer, which play a role as an extrinsic precursor. The present results may support the possibility that NO dimers participate in various NO-related synthetic, biochemical, and surface reactions as an intermediate.     

Rotationally inelastic scattering of HD from Cu(100) and Pd(111)

Rotational excitation of HD scattered from Cu(100), Pd(111), and Pd(111):H(D) was measured using molecular beam and quantum-state-specific laser spectroscopy techniques. Greater than 91% of the incident HD population was in the v = 0, J = 0 state. The final rotational distributions from Cu(100), Pd(111), and Pd(111):H(D) were compared for a HD beam at an incident energy of 74 meV. For all the three surfaces studied, rotationally inelastic scattering probabilities were large. We find that the final HD rotational distributions are remarkably similar for the three surfaces even though Pd(111) is very reactive to dissociative adsorption of HD whereas Cu(100) and Pd(111):H(D) are chemically inert.     

Isocyanate formation in the catalytic reaction of CO + NO on Pd(111): an in situ infrared spectroscopic study at elevated pressures

The catalytic CO + NO reaction to form CO2, N2, and N2O has been studied on a Pd(111) surface at pressures up to 240 mbar using in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRAS). At 240 mbar, for a pressure ratio of PCO:PNO = 3:2 and under reaction conditions, besides adsorbed CO, the formation of isocyanate (-NCO) was observed. Once produced at 500-625 K, the isocyanate species was stable within the entire temperature range studied (300-625 K). On the other hand, its formation required a total CO + NO pressure of at least 0.6 mbar, illustrating the importance of in situ infrared experiments under high-pressure conditions. The significance of the isocyanate formation for the CO + NO reaction on Pd(111) is discussed.     

Dynamics of analyte binding onto a metallophthalocyanine: NO/FePc

The gas-surface reaction dynamics of NO impinging on an iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) monolayer were investigated using King and Wells sticking measurements. The initial sticking probability was measured as a function of both incident molecular beam energy (0.09-0.4 eV) and surface temperature (100-300 K). NO adsorption onto FePc saturates at 3% of a monolayer for all incident beam energies and surface temperatures, suggesting that the final chemisorption site is confined to the Fe metal centers. At low surface temperature and low incident beam energy, the initial sticking probability is 40% and decreases linearly with increasing beam energy and surface temperature. The results are consistent with the NO molecule sticking onto the FePc molecules via physisorption to the aromatics followed by diffusion to the Fe metal center, or precursor-mediated chemisorption. The adsorption mechanism of NO onto FePc was confirmed by control studies of NO sticking onto metal-free H2Pc, inert Au111, and reactive Al111.     

NO adsorption and dissociation on Rh(111): PM-IRAS study

We have used in situ polarization-modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy to study the adsorption/dissociation of NO on Rh(111). While these studies have not been conclusive regarding the detailed surface structures formed during adsorption, they have provided important new information on the dissociation of NO on Rh(111). At moderate pressures (< or =10(-6) Torr) and temperatures (<275 K), a transition from 3-fold hollow to atop bonding is apparent. Data indicate that this transition is not due to the migration of the 3-fold hollow NO but rather to the adsorption of gas-phase NO that is directed toward the atop position due to the presence of NO decomposition products, particularly chemisorbed atomic O species at the hollow sites. These results indicate that NO dissociation occurs at temperatures well below the temperature previously reported. Additionally, high pressure (1 Torr) NO exposure at 300 K results in only atop NO, calling into question the surface structures previously proposed at these adsorption conditions consisting of atop and 3-fold hollow sites.     

Interaction between NO and Na, O, S, Cl on Au and Pd(111) surfaces

NO co-adsorption with X (X = Na, O, S, and Cl) on Au and Pd(111) surfaces is studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations to get a deeper insight into the extraordinary sulfur enhanced adsorption on the Au surface. It is found that both electronegative and electropositive adatoms can enhance NO adsorption on Au(111). In Na + NO/Au(111), the strong electrostatic attraction between Na and NO dominates and stabilizes NO adsorption, though Na-induced surface negative charging weakens NO adsorption. In (O, S, Cl) + NO/Au, the electronegative atoms would induce a slight surface distortion and enhance NO adsorption accordingly. NO adsorption on Pd(111) is enhanced by Na, but weakened by electronegative species. We suggest that the unique features of noble metals, i.e., the narrow DOS at the Fermi level (E(F)) and the deep buried d-band center, should play an important role in the promotion of NO adsorption on their surface as the CO case.     

On the dynamics of H2 adsorption on the Pt(111) surface

The dynamics and kinetics of the dissociation of hydrogen over the hexagonal close packed platinum (Pt(111)) surface are investigated using Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics and static density functional theory calculations of the potential energy surfaces. The calculations model the reference energy‐resolved molecular beam experiments, considering the degrees of freedom of the catalytic surface. Two‐dimensional potential energy surfaces above the main sites on Pt(111) are determined. Combined with Car–Parrinello trajectories, they confirm the dissociative adsorption of H₂ as the only adsorption pathway on this surface at H₂ incindence energies above 5 kJ/mol. A direct determination of energy‐resolved sticking coefficients from molecular dynamics is also performed, showing an excellent agreement with the experimental data at incidence energies in the 5–30 kJ/mol range. Application of dispersion corrections does not lead to an improvement in the prediction of the H₂ sticking coefficient. The adsorption reaction rate obtained from the calculated sticking coefficients is consistent with experimentally derived literature values.     

CO2在金属表面活化的能学方法研究

应用UBI-QEP方法, 估算了CO2-在金属表面的吸附热, 并计算了CO2在Cu(111)、Pd(111)、Fe(111)、Ni(111)表面的各种反应途径的活化能垒. 结果表明, CO2-在4种过渡金属表面相对的稳定性和CO2解离吸附的活性顺序一致,均为Fe>Ni>Cu>Pd. 说明CO2-可能是CO2解离吸附的关键中间体. 在Cu、Pd、Ni表面上, CO2解离吸附的最终产物是CO,而在Fe表面其最终会解离成C和O. 在Cu、Fe、Ni表面, CO2加氢活化是一种有效模式, 而在Pd上则不容易进行. 在Cu和Pd表面,碳酸盐物种也可能是CO2活化的重要中间体.     

Cluster size-dependent mechanisms of the CO + NO reaction on small Pdn (n < or = 30) clusters on oxide surfaces

The CO + NO reaction (2CO + 2NO --> N(2) + 2CO(2)) on small size-selected palladium clusters supported on thin MgO(100) films reveals distinct size effects in the size range Pd(n) with n < or = 30. Clusters up to the tetramer are inert, while larger clusters form CO(2) at around 300 K, and this main reaction mechanism involves adsorbed CO and an adsorbed oxygen atom, a reaction product from the dissociation of NO. In addition, clusters consisting of 20-30 atoms reveal a low-temperature mechanism observed at temperatures below 150 K; the corresponding reaction mechanism can be described as a direct reaction of CO with molecularly adsorbed NO. Interestingly, for all reactive cluster sizes, the reaction temperature of the main mechanism is at least 150 K lower than those for palladium single crystals and larger particles. This indicates that the energetics of the reaction on clusters are distinctly different from those on bulklike systems. In the presented one-cycle experiments, the reaction is inhibited when strongly adsorbed NO blocks the CO adsorption sites. In addition, the obtained results reveal the interaction of NO with the clusters to show differences as a function of size; on larger clusters, both molecularly bonded and dissociated NO coexist, while on small clusters, NO is efficiently dissociated, and hardly any molecularly bonded NO is detected. The desorption of N(2) occurs on the reactive clusters between 300 and 500 K.     

SO2 Surface Chemistry on Metal Substrates

The surface chemistry, induced by thermal and non-thermal methods, of SO₂ on metal substrates is reviewed. The substrate temperature during dosing is important; regardless of metal, adsorption is dissociative at 300 K and molecular at 100 K. On Ni, Pd, and Pt, molecular adsorption occurs through the S and one O atom, and the molecular plane is perpendicular to the surface. However, on Ag and Cu, adsorption occurs only through the S with the molecular plane perpendicular to the surface. The differences can be attributed to the structure of the metal's molecular orbitals and their interactions with the SO₂ orbitals. Upon heating, SO₂ dissociates on all transition metal surfaces with the exception of Ag, Au, and Cu, where only molecular desorption occurs. On Pt, Fe, and Pd, additional reactions are observed between SO₂ and its dissociation products. The nonthermal reactions induced by photons and electrons for monolayer coverages of SO₂ on Ag (111) are dominated by molecular desorption. Desorption cross sections for 313 nm photons and 50eV electrons were 2.8 × 10^?20 cm² and ?1 × 10^?16 cm², respectively. Nonthermal excitation mechanisms and quenching processes as well as interesting characteristics of SO₂ under irradiation are also reviewed.     

NO and dichloroethene reactivity on single crystal and supported Cu nanoparticles: just how big is the materials gap?

Infrared and molecular beam experiments are used to compare and contrast the adsorption and reaction of NO and trans-1,2-dichloroethene on Cu(110) and on Cu nanoclusters deposited on a 5 A thick Al(2)O(3) film. The overall reaction of NO, leading to decomposition, is almost identical in the two systems, with both types of Cu surfaces promoting the formation of NO dimers, which are precursors to the dissociation products N(2)O, N(2) and O. Although the overall reaction is independent of surface structure, the IR spectra clearly show differences in the adsorption sites occupied on the single crystal and the clusters, a disparity that is also shown by CO adsorption experiments. In contrast, the reaction pathway of dichloroethene does show differences on the two types of Cu surfaces. On both surfaces, the initial reaction step is insensitive to structure and efficient dechlorination leads to the production of adsorbed acetylene. However, the fate of this intermediate depends critically on the underlying surface. On Cu(110), the acetylene trimerises readily into benzene at 350 K. However, this reaction shows a significant size dependent behaviour on the supported nanocluster systems, with the probability for trimerisation diminishing with decreasing cluster size.     

First-principles study of some factors controlling the rate of ammonia decomposition on Ni and Pd surfaces

Using the plane-wave pseudopotential method within the density-functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation for exchange and correlation potential, we have calculated adsorption energies (E(ad)), diffusion barrier, and the first dissociation barrier (E(1)) for NH(3) on Ni and Pd surfaces. While the top site is found to be preferred for NH(3) adsorption on both Ni(111) and Pd(111), its calculated diffusion barrier is substantially higher for Pd(111) than for Ni(111). We also find that during the first dissociation step (NH(3)-->NH(2)+H), NH(2) moves from the top site to the nearest hollow site on Ni(111) and Pd(111) and on the stepped surfaces, Ni(211) and Pd(211), it moves from the initial top site at the step edge to the bridge site in the same atomic chain. Meanwhile H is found to occupy the hollow sites on all four surfaces. On Ni(111), E(1) is found to be 0.23 eV higher than E(ad), while at the step of Ni(211), E(1) and E(ad) are almost equal, suggesting that the probability for the molecule to dissociate is much on the step of Ni(211). In the case of Pd(211), however, we find that the dissociation barrier is much higher than E(ad). These trends are in qualitative agreement with the experimental finding that ammonia decomposition rate is much lower on Pd than on Ni.     

Kinetic Evidence for the Influence of Subsurface Oxygen on Palladium Surfaces Towards CO Oxidation at High Temperatures

Transient state kinetics of the catalytic oxidation of CO with O₂ on Pd‐surfaces has been measured under isothermal conditions by using a molecular beam approach. Systematic studies were carried out as a function of reaction temperature and CO+O₂ composition. With sufficient kinetic evidence, we have demonstrated the positive influence of subsurface oxygen towards CO‐adsorption and oxidation to CO₂ at high temperatures (600–900 K) on Pd‐surfaces, and the likely electronic nature of the surface changes with oxygen in the subsurface. These studies also provide a direct proof for CO‐adsorption with a significantly reactive sticking coefficient at high temperatures on Pd‐surfaces exhibiting a significant subsurface O‐coverage.     

NO dimer and dinitrosyl formation on Pd(111): from ultra-high-vacuum to elevated pressure conditions

Using in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRAS) and conventional IRAS techniques, the adsorption of NO on Pd(111) was studied from ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) conditions to 400 mbar. New monomeric and non-monomeric high-coverage NO adsorption states were observed at 400 mbar. Initial NO adsorption at 600 K and subsequent cooling in the presence of 400 mbar NO lead to a new high-coverage monomeric adsorption state. For NO adsorption at room temperature, the formation of NO dimer as well as dinitrosyl states was observed, which upon heating transformed into the high-coverage monomeric adsorption state. In contrast, under UHV conditions, NO dimers were stable only at low temperatures up to 60 K, above which they transformed into a monomeric NO adsorption state with a (2x2)-3NO structure. Our results demonstrate that stable NO dimeric and dinitrosyl species can be formed on Pd(111) at elevated pressure conditions, emphasizing their potential role in catalysis.