Chemisorption of NO and NH3 on cobalt: Studies by UPS,XPS, and work-function measurements

Chemisorption of NO and NH₃ on cobalt has been studied by UV and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS and XPS) and work-function measurements. The 25°C data for NO are consistent with dissociative chemisorption below ～5 L exposure followed by molecular chemisorption at higher exposures; complete dissociation occurs after heating to 500°C. The UPS of molecularly chemisorbed NO exhibit peaks at ～2.7, 10.2 and 14 eV below E_F, corresponding to ionization of the 2π*, (1π + 5σ), and 4σ MO's. The UPS data for NH₃ exhibit peaks at 7.9 and 11.4 eV below E_F, consistent with ionization of the 3a₁ and 7e MO's of NH₃ and/or MO's of the fragments NH₂ and/or NH.