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Angle-integrated photoemission studies of Ni/Nb(110) and modification of the surface by heat treatment

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

Angle-integrated photoemission is used to study Ni films supported on Nb(110) and a thermally induced ordered Ni/Nb surface compound. The display-type low-energy electron-diffraction (LEED) patterns suggest that Ni may randomly enter into equivalent surface sites at low coverages (THETAless than or equal to0.5 monolayer (ML)) and agglomerates to form islands at higher coverages. Angle-integrated photoemission spectra for submonolayer Ni coverage show two Ni-derived d states located at -0.7 and -1.5 eV binding energy. Photoemission states typical of Ni metal surfaces are observed above a monolayer coverage. At least two distinct CO chemisorption sites can be deduced from the photoemission data for Ni coverages below 2.5 ML. Thermal treatment of Ni/Nb(110) triggers interdiffusion and reaction which leads to the formation of an ordered Ni/Nb surface compound. We compare the behavior of Ni/Nb(110) to that reported for Pd and Pt/Nb(110) and discuss how the observed changes in the Ni overlayer may affect the chemisorption of carbon monoxide.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000
OSTI ID:
6801700
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 38:9; ISSN PRBMD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English