Geometric and electronic structures of molecularly adsorbed NO at low surface coverage on polycrystalline rhodium studied by NEXAFS and resonant Auger spectroscopy

The differences in the geometric and electronic structures of molecularly a dsorbed NO on polycrystalline rhodium at low and high surface coverages are investigated by means of near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS ) and resonant Auger spectroscopy. At low surface coverage, the NEXAFS spec tra showed elongation of the NO bond. In addition, the resonant Auger resul ts indicated a stronger interaction between NO 5 sigma and metal d orbitals . From these results, it was speculated that the NO species observed at low surface coverage was strongly adsorbed on rhodium and subject to catalytic reaction iu the next step. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reser ved.