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The catalytic reactivity of thin film crystal surfaces

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7173389· OSTI ID:7173389

A detailed investigation of the surface reactivity of epitaxial Pd(111) and Cu(111)/Pd(111) thin films was carried out for the CO oxidation reaction to form Co{sub 2}. The work involved AES, LEED, W.F., TDS, isothermal desorption spectroscopy, TEM/TED, and high pressure catalytic reactivity investigations. Significant results were obtained regarding (1) the thin film growth modes and the morphology of the overlayers, (2) the isothermal desorption energy of CO from Pd(111) films, (3) CO desorption energies form Pd(111) and Cu(111)/Pd(111) bilayer films, (4) the kinetics of CO and O{sub 2} adsorption on Pd(111) films and for CO on various Cu(111)/Pd(111) thin film bilayers, and (5) the relative CO oxidation rates on Pd(111) and various Cu(111)/Pd(111) bilayer films in the one atmosphere pressure range. The catalysis results were interpreted in terms of weakly adsorbed CO and O{sub 2} molecules and the formation of surface steps when the Cu overlayer thickness exceeded the critical thickness for misfit dislocation formation. These results are important in understanding the nature of the catalytic CO oxidation reaction using thin metal overlayers. It is the first such study of this reaction using metal bilayers, both of which were epitaxial thin films.

Research Organization:
Syracuse Univ., NY (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-84ER45139
OSTI ID:
7173389
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/45139-5; ON: DE90010579
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English