A reaction route network for methanol decomposition on a Pt(111) surface

A reaction route network for the decomposition reaction of methanol on a Pt(111) surface was constructed by using the artificial force-induced reaction (AFIR) method, which can search for reaction paths automatically and systematically. Then, the network was kinetically analyzed by applying the rate constant matrix contraction (RCMC) method. Specifically, the time hierarchy of the network, the time evolution of the population initially given to CH₃ OH to the other species on the network, and the most favorable route from CH₃ OH to major and minor products were investigated by the RCMC method. Consistently to previous studies, the major product on the network was CO+4H, and the most favorable route proceeded through the following steps: CH₃ OH → CH₂ OH+H → HCOH+2H → HCO+3H → CO+4H. Furthermore, paths to byproducts found on the network and their kinetic importance were discussed. The present procedure combining AFIR and RCMC was thus successful in explaining the title reaction without using any information on its product or the reaction mechanism.