Adsorption of CH3Cl on clean and Cl-dosed Pd(100) surfaces

The adsorption of methyl chloride on a Pd(100) surface has been investigated by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (in the electronic range, EELS), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and work function change. CH₃Cl adsorbs with high sticking probability at 80–100 K. UPS and TDS spectra suggest that the adsorption of CH₃Cl is molecular at 100 K, with a little distortion of the corresponding gas-phase molecular electronic structure. No dissociation of CH₃Cl was observed even up to 550 K. By means of TPD, we distinguished two adsorption states with desorption energies of 46.9 and 33.4 kJ/mol. The formation of a condensed layer at 105–110 K was also observed. Adsorption of CH₃Cl caused a significant work function decrease, Δ = ?0.91 eV, indicating a dipole with positive end pointed away from the surface. The effects of electronegative additives, preadsorbed Cl and O were also examined. Preadsorbed Cl caused a slight destabilization of adsorbed CH₃Cl at lower concentration, prevented the adsorption of CH₃Cl at higher concentration and facilitated the formation of a condensed layer. No such effect was experienced in the presence of preadsorbed O.