Kinetic evidence for the influence of subsurface oxygen on palladium surfaces towards CO oxidation at high temperatures

Abstract

Transient state kinetics of the catalytic oxidation of CO with O₂ on Pd-surfaces has been measured under isothermal conditions by using a molecular beam approach. Systematic studies were carried out as a function of reaction temperature and CO+O₂ composition. With sufficient kinetic evidence, we have demonstrated the positive influence of subsurface oxygen towards CO-adsorption and oxidation to CO₂ at high temperatures (600-900 K) on Pd-surfaces, and the likely electronic nature of the surface changes with oxygen in the subsurface. These studies also provide a direct proof for CO-adsorption with a significantly reactive sticking coefficient at high temperatures on Pd-surfaces exhibiting a significant subsurface O-coverage.