The properties of K and coadsorbed CO + K on Ru(001): I. Adsorption,desorption, and structure

An extensive photoemission and LEED study of K and CO+K on Ru(001) has been carried out. In this paper the LEED and some XPS results together with TPD and HREELS data are presented in terms of adsorption, desorption. and structural properties, and their compatibility is discussed. Potassium forms (2 × 2) and $\text{(}\text{3}\text{×}\text{3}\text{)R30°}$ overlayers below and near monolayer coverage, and multilayer bonding and desorption is similar to that of bulk K. The initial sticking coefficients for CO adsorption on K predosed surfaces are correlated with the initial K structure, and s₀ and CO saturation coverages decrease with increasing K coverage. Two well-characterized mixed CO+K layers have been found which are correlated with predosed (2 × 2) K and $\text{(}\text{3}\text{×}\text{3}\text{)R30°}\text{K}$. They have CO to K ratios of 3:2 and 1:1, and lead to LEED patterns with (2 × 2) and (3 × 3) symmetry, respectively. The molecule is believed to be sp² rehybridized under the influence of coadsorbed K, leading to stronger CO-Ru and weaker C-O bonds as indicated by the TPD and HREELS results, and to stand upright in essentially twofold bridges.