Infrared spectroscopy of physisorbed and chemisorbed N-2 in the Pt(111)(3x3)N-2 structure

K. Gustafsson, Gustav Karlberg, Sven Andersson

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Abstract

Using infrared spectroscopy and low electron energy diffraction, we have investigated the adsorption of N-2, at 30 K, on the Pt(111) and the Pt(111)(1x1)H surfaces. At monolayer coverage, N-2 orders in commensurate (3x3) structures on both surfaces, and we propose that the unit cells contain four molecules in each case. The infrared spectra reveal that N-2 exclusively physisorbs on the Pt(111)(1x1)H surface, while both physisorbed and chemisorbed N-2 is detected on the Pt(111) surface. Physisorbed N-2 is the majority species in the latter case, and the two adsorption states show an almost identical uptake behavior, which indicates that they are intrinsic constituents of the growing (3x3) N-2 islands. An analysis of the infrared absorbance data, based on a simple scaling concept suggested by density functional theory calculations, supports a model in which the (3x3) unit cell contains one chemisorbed molecule in end-on atop configuration and three physisorbed molecules. We note that a classic ''pinwheel'' structure on a hexagonal lattice, with the end-on chemisorbed N2 molecules acting as ''pins,'' is compatible with this composition.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume127
Issue number19
Pages (from-to)194708
ISSN0021-9606
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Bibliographical note

Copyright (2007) American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.

Keywords

  • PT(111)
  • TOTAL-ENERGY CALCULATIONS
  • DEFECT SITES
  • ADSORPTION
  • SURFACES

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