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Pattern Formation in Catalytic H2 Oxidation on Rh: Zooming in by Correlative Microscopy
Johannes Zeininger1, Philipp Winkler1, Maximilian Raab1
1Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
Researchers studied hydrogen oxidation on rhodium surfaces using advanced microscopy. They observed island-mediated oxygen front propagation during kinetic transitions, explained by microkinetic modeling and simulations.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Chemical kinetics
- Materials science
Background:
- Polycrystalline rhodium (Rh) foils exhibit complex surface chemistry.
- Understanding spatio-temporal dynamics is crucial for catalytic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nonuniformities in H2 oxidation on Rh(hkl) domains.
- To elucidate the mechanism of oxygen front propagation during kinetic transitions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), X-ray PEEM (XPEEM), and low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM).
- Employed in situ correlative microscopy for high-resolution imaging.
- Applied microkinetic modeling and Monte Carlo simulations for rationalization.
Main Results:
- Detected unusual island-mediated oxygen front propagation.
- Observed distinct spatio-temporal nonuniformities in H2 oxidation.
- Correlated experimental observations with theoretical models.
Conclusions:
- Island-mediated front propagation is a key phenomenon in Rh surface reactions.
- Hybrid modeling approaches effectively explain complex surface dynamics.
- Advanced microscopy reveals nanoscale reaction mechanisms.
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