Temperature-resolved surface infrared spectroscopy of CO on Rh(111) and (2 x 1)-O/Rh(111)

Heterogeneously catalyzed reactions over transition metal surfaces are pillars of chemical industry and account for a significant fraction of the global energy demand. CO oxidation provides insight into the relative reactivity of various oxygenaceous surface phases, and it is necessary to first understand where it binds to the surface and the nature of the local environment to develop robust mechanistic pictures of the reaction. Surface IR spectroscopy is a quantitative technique that also provides information about the binding sites and chemical environments of the adsorbed CO molecules. Here, we report results from a study of CO sticking to clean Rh(111) and (2 x 1)-O/Rh(111) that shows that the intensity of the IR absorption was not linear with coverage and is an important consideration for further studies of the catalytic surface. Published under an exclusive license by the AVS.

Automated summary

Heterogeneously catalyzed reactions over transition metal surfaces play a crucial role in the chemical industry and global energy demand. CO oxidation is used to study the reactivity of various oxygenaceous surface phases, and surface IR spectroscopy provides valuable information about the reaction mechanism.