Selected Molecular Surface Structures Determined by ModernLow-Energy Electron Diffraction
This article surveys a series of structural results obtained for the adsorption of small molecules (from CO to benzene) on the closest-packed metal surfaces by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Most of these results were obtained by detailed fitting of many structural parameters, primarily with automated tensor LEED. We discuss mainly qualitative aspects: adsorption sites, adsorbate orientation, molecular distortions and adsorbate-induced relaxations. Cases of special interest include: CO and NO monolayers adsorbed on metal surfaces, which require a revision of adsorption site assignments based on vibrational frequencies; various coadsorption structures exhibiting site changes due to the electron donor vs, acceptor character of the coadsorbates; intact di-sigma ethylene adsorbed in a disordered and asymmetrical manner on Pt(111); intact acetylene on MgO(100), the first molecular and also first physisorbed adsorption structure determined in detail on an oxide surface; and the surface of an ultra-thin ice film, exhibiting unusually large vibration amplitudes of the outermost molecules.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director, Office of Energy Research
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 899530
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL--40517
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Molecular Catalysis A - chemical, Journal Name: Journal of Molecular Catalysis A - chemical Journal Issue: 1-3 Vol. 131
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Surface structural analysis of small molecules on transition metal single crystal surfaces with low energy electron diffraction
The molecular structure of organic overlayers on palladium single crystal surfaces: A LEED and HREELS study