The adsorption of methyl radicals on oxygen-modified Mo(100) studied by HREELS

B. R. Parker, J. F. Jenkins, P. C. Stair*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The adsorption of methyl radicals on two different oxygen-modified Mo(100) surfaces at room temperature has been studied using high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Previous experiments have shown that methyl radicals adsorbed to these surfaces produce CH4, H2 and CO as reaction products. Since the data from this earlier study was inconclusive, vibrational spectroscopic evidence was sought in order to obtain a chemical identification of the surface species. This study confirms the previous data, which suggested that methyl radicals do not form surface methoxy but rather a metal alkyl analog when adsorbed at 300 K. Methyl groups dehydrogenate at room temperature and reveal an O-H stretching vibration as well as the CH2 scissor mode. This data is compared to the results observed when CH3OH is adsorbed on the same surface. In the latter case, no O-H vibrations are detected in the spectrum and modes corresponding to adsorbed methoxy are seen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)185-192
Number of pages8
JournalSurface Science
Volume372
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 10 1997

Keywords

  • Alkanes
  • Electron energy loss spectroscopy
  • Molybdenum
  • Single crystal surfaces
  • Surface chemical reaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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