A photoelectron spectroscopic observation of iron surfaces exposed to N2, N2O,NO, NO2 and air at 200 torr or 1 atm

Photoelectron spectra from core levels are presented for adsorption of nitrogen-containing gases at 200 torr or 1 atm on iron surfaces. Assignments of each band and the adsorption process are discussed. On the substrate at normal temperature, each gas forms nitride and nitrogen oxide groups (NO, NO₂ and NO₃) which appear at 398.6, 400.0, 404.5 and 407.1 eV, respectively. The relative intensifies of each species depend on the gases adsorbed. NO and NO₂ are considered to dissociate on the surface and the oxygen atom adsorb preferentially. The oxygen on the surface can be considered to contribute to the formation of each surface ligand.