Interaction of carbon monoxide with transition metal surfaces

Abstract

XPS studies of the interaction of carbon monoxide with surfaces of Fe, Co and Ni indicate that at 300 K, the disproportionation reaction is prominent up to exposures of 10³ L giving rise to high surface concentrations of carbon. At higher exposures and higher temperatures, dissociation of carbon monoxide accompanied by the formation of surface oxide layers becomes more prominent. In the case of copper, disproportionation is prominent up to 10⁴ L even at 500 K followed by dissociation at higher exposures. These results are also supported by Auger spectroscopic studies.