Effects of bimetallic modification on the decomposition of CH3OH and H2O on Pt/W(110) bimetallic surfaces

The decomposition pathways of methanol and water on Pt-modified W(110) bimetallic surfaces have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The reaction of methanol on submonolayer and monolayer Pt-modified W(110) surfaces is compared to that on clean Pt(111) and W(110). Similar to clean W(110), the Pt/W(110) bimetallic surfaces remain active toward the dissociation of methanol, although the reaction pathway leading to the production of CH4 is reduced on the bimetallic surfaces. The Pt/W(110) surfaces are also active toward the decomposition of water. These results are compared with previous studies of the reactions of H2 and ethylene on Pt/W(110) bimetallic surfaces to reveal the different Pt-modification effects for the dissociation of oxygen-containing molecules.