Surface reactivity

Fundamental research of surface reactivity is imperative for understanding technological important processes such as catalysis, corrosion, adhesion, etc., where bonds are created or breaking at the surface. By studying the gas-surface interaction under well defined conditions, the elementary steps, in for example a catalytical process, can be investigated in detail on the molecular level. Most of the efforts are focused on understanding the fundamental behavior of this reactivity as a function of the surface composition and structure. By combining Ultra High Vacuum equipment and high pressure cells or supersonic molecular beams the surface reactivity of metal overlayers or surface alloys prepared in situ can be measured. The surfaces are characterized by using a complementary range of surface sensitive methods such as XPS, AES, SAM, LEED, HREELS, TPD, and STM. The results form a basis for revealing the underlying principles of surface reactivity and thereby serve as an inspiration source for designing new catalysts or schemes for preventing surface corrosion. The processes studied are of relevance for some major large scale chemical processes, such as methanol synthesis, ammonia synthesis, steam reforming, and metal dusting, the latter being a corrosion phenomena.