Photodesorption of NO from Ag(111) and Cu(111)

S. K. So, R. Franchy, W. Ho

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

129 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The adsorption, thermal reactions, and photoreactions of NO on Ag (111) and Cu (111) at 80-85 K have been studied by thermal-desorption spectroscopy (TDS), high-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS), and photon-induced desorption. Adsorption of NO on both surfaces is quite complicated. At saturation coverage, a number of chemical species are present, including atop and bridge-bonded NO, atomic N and O, and N2O. Photodesorption of NO, N2, and N2O is observed simultaneously under low-power photon irradiation in the wavelength range for 260-600 nm. From TD and HREEL spectra before and after photon irradiation, it is established that on both surfaces the atop NO is photoactive. Photon polarization, power-, and wavelength-dependences studies indicate that the mechanisms for photodesorption are nonthermal. A substrate-mediated mechanism involving photogenerated carriers at low photon energies (<3 eV) and a direct excitation mechanism of the adsorbate-surface complex at high photon energies are used to explain the observed photodesorption.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1385-1399
Number of pages15
JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics
Volume95
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 1991

Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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