Interaction of oxygen with PtRh(100) studied with STM

P.T. Wouda*, M. Schmid, W. Hebenstreit, and P. Varga

*Department of Heterogeneous Catalysis and Surface Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Institut für Allgemeine Physik, Technische Universität Wien, A-1040 Wien, Austria

Surf. Sci. 388 (1997) 63-70

The adsorption of oxygen at 500°C on a Pt50Rh50(100) single crystal surface was studied using UHV-STM and Auger electron spectroscopy. Images were taken of the p(3x1) phase, of a mixed phase with p(2x2), c(2x2) and (3x3) units and of rhodium oxide patches. Possible models for these structures involving surface reconstruction are presented. Exposure of the p(3x1)O/PtRh(100) to H2 at room temperature led to the conversion to the p(1x1) substrate structure. The ordering and composition of this substrate structure after reduction is discussed.

Corresponding author: M. Schmid (schmid< encoded email address >).

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Part of this work is on display in the IAP/TU Wien STM Gallery (see the reconstructions page).