Interaction of small molecules with Au(3 1 0): Decomposition of NO Original Research Article

The interaction of NO, N2O, CO, O2, H2 and N2 with a stepped Au(3 1 0) surface has been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). In the temperature (80–500 K) and pressure (up to 5 × 10−6 mbar) range used, no adsorption of O2, H2, CO and N2 was observed. However, NO and N2O adsorb on this stepped surface. Decomposition of NO to N2O was observed at temperatures as low as 80 K. A possible mechanism for the formation of N2O from NO has been discussed on the basis of our TP-XPS results.