1989 CR-BURCH-PRIZE - SURFACES AND VIBRATIONS

The use of vibrational spectroscopy to study adsorbates on single crystal surfaces is discussed, with emphasis on Reflection-Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy (RAIRS) and (to a lesser extent) Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). The application of RAIRS and EELS to the study of atomic hydrogen adsorption on Cu(111) reveals that hydrogen occupies a two-fold bridging site (μ2) between two copper atoms. Analysis of RAIR spectra reveals considerable information concerning the orienation and configuration of adsorbates as well as the nature of the binding site. This is illustrated by the study of ethene adsorbed on Cu(111) which is found to be π-bonded. Finally the development of RAIRS as a time resolved method of studying reactions is demonstrated. The deprotonation of methanol to methoxy over oxidized copper is shown as an example. © 1990.