Magnetic and infrared study of CO chemisorption on silica supported nickel-copper alloys

CO adsorption at room temperature on Ni-Cu alloys supported on SiO₂ is studied by two complementary techniques, infra-red spectroscopy and magnetic methods (saturation magnetization). The bond number between CO and the metallic surface calculated from magnetic data decreases from 1.8 to 1 as the Cu content increases. Two bands attributed to CO bonded to Ni are observed (the A band in the 2000–2050 cm^?1 region, and the B band in the 1950–1900 cm^?1 region). A small band assigned to CO bonded to Cu is also detected. As Cu content increases, the intensity of the B band decreases, and a noticeable and continuous frequency shift of the three bands is observed. Experimental results are fully accounted for assuming that: (i) two adsorbed species of CO on Ni, a monodentate and a bridged species (with small amounts of other multicentered species) are formed, as suggested by Eischens and Pliskin; (ii) dilution of Ni by Cu decreases the relative abundance of the bridged (and multicentered) species for some geometric reasons previously invoked by Soma-Noto and Sachtler; (iii) surface complexes are formed between CO and Ni; however Ni remains in its metallic state. The surface complex is sensitive to the electronic environment of the metallic atom, with a frequency shift of the three infra-red bands upon alloying as a consequence.