Adsorption of carbon monoxide and oxygen on transition metal surfaces: a comparative study of the results from electron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

Abstract

Results of investigations on the adsorption of CO and O₂ on transition metal surfaces by employinguv and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) are presented. Results of molecular orbital calculations on adsorbed CO and O₂ are also discussed. Some of the interesting aspects discussed are, satellites in the O(ls) region due to adsorbed CO, vibrational EELS of adsorbed O₂ and dissociation energy profiles of adsorbed O₂ on clean surfaces as well as surfaces covered with potassium or presorbed atomic oxygen.