Adsorption of CO and O2 on W2C(0001)

CO, O(2), and H(2) adsorption on a clean W(2)C(0001)√13×√13 R ± 13.9° reconstructed surface at room temperature (RT) were investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The W(2)C(0001) adsorbs CO molecularly and adsorbs O(2) dissociatively, but does not adsorb H(2) at RT. In the CO adsorption system, two C-O stretching (antisymmetric CCO stretching) modes were found at 242.3 meV (1954 cm(-1)) and at 253.0 meV (2041 cm(-1)). The low-frequency site is occupied at first with subsequent conversion to the high-frequency site with increasing coverage. Additionally, a small peak was apparent at 104.5 meV (843 cm(-1)), and a middle peak at 50-51 meV (400-410 cm(-1)), which are assignable to a symmetric stretching mode and a hindered translational mode, respectively, of a CCO (ketenylidene) species. These observations are consistent with the CO adsorption model on top of the surface carbon. For oxygen adsorption, two adsorption states were found at 65.2-68.1 meV (526-549 cm(-1)) and 73.6 meV (594 cm(-1)): typical frequencies to oxygen adsorption on metal surfaces. Results suggest that atomic oxygen adsorption occurred on a threefold hollow site of the second W layer.