Electronic structures of CO adsorbed Pt-skin surface on Pt-Co and Pt-Ni alloys

By using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigate the electronic structures of Pt-skin layer of Pt-Co and Pt-Ni alloys with CO molecules on the surface. Measured Fermi surface maps and band dispersions reflect the signatures of chemical bonding between Pt-skin layer and CO molecules. Furthermore, the degree of chemical bonding strength of CO molecules, estimated from the energy shift of the participating bands, is found to be reduced on both Pt bimetallic alloys. Our results show how the surface band structure of Pt bimetallic alloys is modified with molecular orbitals of CO molecules on the surface, revealing the important role of the electronic structure in the determination of chemical properties of bimetallic alloys.

Automated summary

By utilizing angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, this study investigates the electronic structures of CO molecules on the surface of Pt-Co and Pt-Ni alloys, and finds a reduction in the chemical bonding strength. These results reveal the significant role of electronic structure in determining the chemical properties of bimetallic alloys.