binding states of CO and H2 on clean and oxidized (111)Pt

The binding states and sticking coefficients of CO and H₂ on clean and oxide covered (111)Pt are examined using flash desorption mass spectrometry and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). On the clean surface at 78 K there is one major binding state of CO with a desorption activation energy which decreases with coverage plus a second smaller state, while H₂ exhibits three binding states with peak temperatures of 140, 230 and 310 K and saturation density ratios of 0.5 : 1 : 1. Desorption kinetics of CO are consistent with a first order state with a normal pre-exponential factor of 10^{13 ± 1} sec^?1, while all three peaks of H₂ are broader than expected. Interpretations in terms of anomalous pre-exponential factors, coverage dependent desorption activation energies, and desorption orders are considered. On the oxidized surface saturation densities of both gases are nearly identical to those on the clean surface, but desorption temperatures are increased significantly and the initial sticking coefficient on the oxide decreases slightly for CO and increases slightly for H₂.