X-ray-Induced CO2 Formation via CO Reaction with TiO2 at Cryogenic Temperature

Cosmic rays, gamma-rays, and X-ray-driven reactions on interstellar grains have been the main focus in understanding the extraterrestrial synthesis of complex organic molecules. Herein, using temperature-programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we report for the first time X-ray-induced CO2 production from a CO-covered rutile TiO2 (110) surface at 110 K, in addition to X-ray-induced CO desorption. The X-ray-induced CO2 production was found to follow a Mars and van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism via the reaction between adsorbed CO and surface lattice oxygen of TiO2. Defects of TiO2 suppress the X-ray-induced CO2 production but promote the X-ray-induced CO desorption. These findings suggest a novel X-ray-induced CO-to-CO2 reaction on oxide surfaces at cryogenic temperature likely occurring in the interstellar medium and also warn us to keep in mind the possibility of X-rays inducing chemical reactions during structural characterizations of oxides with X-ray-involved techniques.

Automated summary

Research has shown that X-ray-induced CO conversion to CO2 can occur on oxide surfaces at cryogenic temperatures, with surface defects affecting the process. These findings suggest a potential occurrence in the interstellar medium and caution against X-ray-induced chemical reactions during oxide structural characterizations.