skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Dimethyl methylphosphonate Decomposition on fully Oxidized and Partially Reduced ceria Thin Films

Journal Article · · Surface Science

The thermal decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) on crystalline ceria thin films grown on Ru(0 0 0 1) was studied by temperature programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared absorption reflection spectroscopy (IRAS). TPD experiments show that methanol and formaldehyde desorb as the two main products at 575 K, while water, formaldehyde and CO are produced above 800 K. IRAS studies demonstrate that DMMP adsorbs via the phosphoryl oxygen at 200 K, but the P{double_bond}O bond converts to a bridging O{single_bond}P{single_bond}O species at 300 K. DMMP decomposition initially occurs via P{_}OCH{sub 3} bond scission to form methyl methylphosphonate (MMP) and methyl phosphonate (MP) between 300 and 500 K; XPS and IRAS data are consistent with a methoxy intermediate on the surface at these temperatures. The more stable P{_}CH{sub 3} bonds remain intact up to 700 K, and the only surface intermediate at higher temperatures is believed to be PO{sub x}. Although the presence of PO{sub x} decreases activity for DMMP decomposition, some activity on the ceria surface remains even after 7 cycles of adsorption and reaction. The ceria films become reduced by multiple DMMP adsorption-reaction cycles, with the Ce{sup +4} content dropping to 30% after seven cycles. Investigations of DMMP reaction on reduced ceria surfaces show that CO and H{sub 2} are produced in addition to methanol and formaldehyde. Furthermore, DMMP decomposition activity on the reduced ceria films is almost completely inhibited after only 3 adsorption-reaction cycles. Similarities between DMMP and methanol chemistry on the ceria films suggest that methoxy is a key surface intermediate in both reactions.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
1019823
Report Number(s):
BNL-95669-2011-JA; SUSCAS; TRN: US201115%%459
Journal Information:
Surface Science, Vol. 604, Issue 5-6; ISSN 0039-6028
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English